Warning

Info

Warning

Info

Warning

Info

LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

rule of completeness

Read a random definition: livery in chivalry

A quick definition of rule of completeness:

The rule of completeness says that when someone shows part of a writing or says part of something in court, the other side can ask for the rest of it to be read or shown too. This helps make sure that everyone understands the whole story. However, the rest of the writing or what was said can only be shown if it is relevant and helps explain the first part. This rule usually applies to things like conversations, confessions, and written records.

A more thorough explanation:

The rule of completeness is an evidentiary rule that requires a party to introduce the entire passage of a writing or an utterance at trial if they introduce a part of it. This is to establish the full context of the evidence.

For example, if a party introduces a sentence from a conversation, the opposing party may require that the remainder of the conversation be read to establish the full context. This rule applies to all types of writings, including account books, and recorded statements.

However, the rule has limitations. The remainder of the evidence must explain the first part, and it cannot be received if it is irrelevant. In most jurisdictions, the remainder is admissible unless its admission would be unfair or misleading.

For instance, if a defendant confesses to a crime but only a part of the confession is introduced, the rule of completeness requires the entire confession to be read to establish the full context of the evidence.

The rule of completeness is also known as the doctrine of completeness, completeness doctrine, optional-completeness rule, and optional-completeness doctrine.

rule of capture | rule of construction

Warning

Info

General

General chat about the legal profession.
main_chatroom
👍 Chat vibe: 0 👎
Help us make LSD better!
Tell us what's important to you
babycat
13:22
we have one local rep who didn’t get reelected bc she went on a podcast and said some crazy shit about jewish people
insane
13:22
@HopefullyInLawSchool: that is so unfair its insane that people have to go through that
theres a student that is literally having a baby and the admin denied her request for a test extension, and told her to come in the day after she gave birth to take the exam w her baby
come in the DAY AFTER SHE GIVES BIRTH
W HER BABY
13:23
saw that, crazy that she cant just hold the fucker in for a day longer
LMFAO
babycat
13:23
gulc going to hell I’m so serious
glovediedthisishismom
13:24
thats definetly horsey on an alt
glovediedthisishismom
13:24
no way any professor did that
13:25
thrifted a vintage burberry suit today and feeling unstoppable
Dkk
13:26
Nice
glovediedthisishismom
13:26
im in the field like a defensive lineman im always in saks 💯
1a2b3c4d26z
13:26
That's awesome
1a2b3c4d26z
13:26
real ones shop at bergdorf
13:28
real ones shop at YMH
triplethread
13:28
i missed another fordham wave
triplethread
13:28
mamas getting denied
JumpySubsequentDolphin
13:29
the bergdorf on 5th Ave in NYC is so
JumpySubsequentDolphin
13:29
it feels like home
Dkk
13:29
I'm at your mommas house rn: https://x.com/Mansavelli_/status/1648073454665572352
triplethread
13:29
im addicted to reacting to all of the decisions
triplethread
13:29
with the emojis
HopefullyInLawSchool
13:29
I shop at Joe
HopefullyInLawSchool
13:29
Joe's
glovediedthisishismom
13:30
i shop at tawget
glovediedthisishismom
13:30
im dawk gawthic maga
triplethread
13:30
i shop at giant eagle
ForDizzyDJoy
13:31
How did i miss Fordham and American’s wave and I applied in september 🙃
LSD+ is ad-free, with DMs, discounts, case briefs & more.