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LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

doctrine of completeness

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A quick definition of doctrine of completeness:

The doctrine of completeness is a rule that says if someone shows part of a writing or recording in court, the other side can ask for the rest of it to be shown too. This is to make sure the jury understands the whole thing, not just part of it. Sometimes, other evidence that wouldn't normally be allowed in court can be shown too, if it helps to explain the first piece of evidence.

A more thorough explanation:

The doctrine of completeness is a rule under the Federal Rules of Evidence that requires the introduction of any other parts or any other writing or recorded statement that ought to be considered contemporaneously with the writing or recorded statement originally introduced. This rule is to ensure that the jury views the incomplete statement in its full context.

For example, if a party introduces a portion of a conversation as evidence, the opposing party can request that the entire conversation be introduced to provide context and clarity. This additional evidence is called explanatory evidence, and its purpose is to qualify, explain, or put the original piece of introduced evidence in context.

Furthermore, the doctrine of completeness allows otherwise inadmissible evidence, such as hearsay, to be admissible if it is necessary to correct any confusion or wrongful impression created by the admission of the original evidence. For instance, if a witness testifies about a conversation they had with someone else, and only a portion of that conversation is introduced as evidence, the opposing party can request that the entire conversation be introduced to provide a complete understanding of the conversation.

In summary, the doctrine of completeness ensures that all relevant evidence is presented to the jury to provide a complete and accurate understanding of the evidence presented.

doctrine | doctrine of discovery

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HopefullyInLawSchool
16:03
@UnderRepresentedTryhard: Yes only for YM applicants tho
RoaldDahl
16:05
dodged the mich r wave what does this mean
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:06
it means you will not be rejected today and may be accepted or WL in the future
Just got my Michigan rejection
BookwormBroker
16:10
same
RoaldDahl
16:10
@HopefullyInLawSchool: what if i already got rejected. does it mean anything
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:12
@RoaldDahl: Likely not however it could mean nothing
RoaldDahl
16:15
So if it means nothing does that mean something?
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:17
Possibly
RoaldDahl
16:26
Cool
RoaldDahl
16:26
thank you!!!! i hope it means something
pinkandblue
16:31
fart
IrishDinosaur
16:36
Mich R gang lesgooo
Did anyone else get that random get to know nova email?
HopefullyInLawSchool
17:21
Ya it was sent to all YM applicants
starfishies
17:37
Anyone get the NDLS email inviting you to apply for something even though they haven’t made a decision on your app yet
17:38
Better yet I got the email and I was rejected last month
starfishies
17:38
Wtf
starfishies
17:39
and the deadline is in like a week what is this
any cardozo movement?
BatmanBeyond
18:01
Sent a LOCI via portal, but I'm wondering if email would have gotten me a swifter response
BatmanBeyond
18:02
This whole hold/wait-list/reserve system is a headache
loci already?
BatmanBeyond
18:09
If the odds are like 1-2% I don't think it matters much by the numbers
12:11
I got the same NDLS email
OrangeThing
12:18
I think the user profiles are broken
19:29
Any word out of Notre Dame?
19:29
Only the invitation to apply for LSE
19:29
Anyone received a decision from NDLS?
19:50
when did u guys apply that just heard from umich? they havent even glanced at my app yet
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