Once a court decides a matter, no new scientific evidence can reopen it.

Evidence

To Schlichtmann, it was apparent that the appeals court wanted to clean up the allegations of malfeasance without in any way disturbing the verdict. The long-standing principle of res judicata—that a matter once decided in a court of law remains decided—held sway, even if that decision flew in the face of reality. First the EPA, and now, this very month, the United States Geological Survey, had issued reports saying the fifteen acres had contaminated the well field. But that would make no difference in the eyes of the law. — , Harr Jonathan - A Civil Action, 2967

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines res judicata in plain terms: a decided matter remains decided, regardless of contrary evidence.
• DEEPTHINKING: A genuinely unsettling claim: the legal system’s finality principle can permanently detach court findings from physical reality, even when two federal agencies later contradict them.