Court Reporter Practice Exam

What does the term 'ipso facto' refer to?

1. By inference from evidence

2. By the fact itself

3. As a result of circumstantial evidence

4. By legal decree

The correct answer is: By the fact itself

The term 'ipso facto' is a Latin phrase that translates to "by the fact itself." It is often used to indicate that a particular situation or state of affairs is the direct result of a specific fact or event. For example, if someone is a convicted felon, they are ipso facto ineligible to vote in many jurisdictions. This demonstrates how the fact of a felony conviction automatically leads to the loss of voting rights without the need for any additional action or evidence. Other options provide different interpretations or nuances that don’t accurately capture the essence of 'ipso facto'. The phrase does not refer to implications drawn from evidence or circumstantial evidence, nor is it about legal decrees. Instead, it is fundamentally about a direct relationship or consequence that arises solely based on an existing fact. This precision makes 'ipso facto' a powerful term in legal contexts, emphasizing that certain conclusions or outcomes are inescapable given the established facts.