Legal Definitions - optional-completeness doctrine

The optional-completeness doctrine, also known as the rule of optional completeness, is a principle in evidence law designed to ensure fairness and prevent misleading impressions when only a portion of a statement, document, or conversation is presented in court.

If one party introduces only part of a piece of evidence, and that partial introduction could create a false or incomplete understanding, the opposing party may then be allowed to introduce the remainder of that evidence. The purpose is to provide the full context necessary for the judge or jury to accurately understand the evidence and avoid misinterpretation.

Here are some examples illustrating this doctrine:

• Example 1: Partial Email Exchange

  In a lawsuit concerning a business deal, Party A introduces an email from Party B that states, "We are unable to proceed with the proposed terms." Party B's attorney then invokes the optional-completeness doctrine, requesting to introduce the very next email in the same chain, sent just minutes later, which reads, "However, we are open to negotiating revised terms that address your concerns."

  Explanation: Party A presented an incomplete communication that could suggest Party B completely rejected the deal. The doctrine allows Party B to introduce the follow-up email to provide the full context, showing they were still willing to negotiate, thus preventing a misleading impression of their intent.

• Example 2: Selective Quote from a Witness Statement

  During a criminal trial, the prosecutor reads a line from a police interview where a witness stated, "I saw the defendant running away from the scene." The defense attorney then asks to read the immediately preceding sentence from the same interview, which says, "It was dark, and I only caught a glimpse of someone in a hoodie."

  Explanation: The prosecutor's quote, taken alone, might imply the witness had a clear view and positive identification. The optional-completeness doctrine permits the defense to introduce the preceding sentence to provide crucial context about the witness's limited visibility, ensuring the jury understands the full circumstances of the observation.

• Example 3: Excerpt from a Company Policy

  In an employment discrimination case, the plaintiff's attorney presents a section of the company's employee handbook that lists severe penalties for certain infractions. The company's attorney then requests to introduce the preceding section of the same handbook, which details the company's multi-step progressive disciplinary process that must be followed before such penalties can be imposed.

  Explanation: The plaintiff's attorney presented a partial view of the policy, potentially suggesting that penalties are immediate and arbitrary. The optional-completeness doctrine allows the company to introduce the related section to show the full disciplinary framework, providing a more complete and accurate understanding of how the policy is applied.