Understanding the Rule of Completeness in Michigan Courts: MRE 106
In the pursuit of truth and ensuring fairness during legal proceedings, the Michigan Rules of Evidence (MRE) play a crucial role.
One particular rule, MRE 106 (Completeness), safeguards against misleading interpretations and fosters a more comprehensive understanding of presented evidence.
What is the Rule of Completeness?
MRE 106 states: “If a party introduces part of a writing or recorded statement, any other party may introduce the remainder, or so much thereof as is relevant to the portion introduced, if the remainder or portion thereof offered completes the statement or renders it more understandable.”
In simpler terms, when a portion of a written or recorded statement is presented in court, the opposing party has the right to introduce the remaining relevant parts of the statement.
This ensures that the jury or judge hears the full context and avoids being swayed by a potentially misleading snippet of evidence.
Why is the Rule of Completeness Important?
Imagine a scenario where the prosecution presents a written excerpt from a witness’s statement, highlighting a specific sentence that seemingly incriminates the defendant. Without the complete statement, the jury might be left with an incomplete picture, potentially overlooking crucial contextual details or even contradictory information that could exonerate the defendant.
MRE 106 prevents such scenarios by allowing the defense to introduce the remaining relevant parts of the statement. This ensures that:
- The jury has access to a more complete picture and can make a well-informed decision based on all relevant information.
- Misleading interpretations are minimized as the opposing party can present the full context of the statement.
- Fairness is upheld by allowing both sides to present a complete picture of their case.
It’s important to note:
- The opposing party can only introduce relevant portions of the statement, not everything. The court will determine what constitutes relevant information based on the specific case and the previously introduced portion.
- MRE 106 only applies to written or recorded statements, not oral statements.
Conclusion
MRE 106 plays a vital role in ensuring fairness and promoting a complete understanding of evidence in Michigan courts. By allowing the introduction of relevant, contextual information, the rule helps prevent misleading interpretations and fosters a more just legal process.

Related Articles
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
More Posts

Laws passed by Michigan lawmakers in 2023 will take effect
Several new laws passed by Michigan lawmakers in 2023 will take effect on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2023Making use of the first combined Democratic majority in the state House, Senate, and governor's seat in decades, legislators have the numbers and have successfully approved...

Legal Consequences of Rescheduling Marijuana – 2024
Legal Consequences of Rescheduling Marijuana Jan 2024 a report from the Congressional Research Service.

Scientists Discover The Reason Cannabis Causes The Munchies
For the first time, scientists have uncovered the precise neurological impacts of cannabis use that give rise to the phenomenon famously referred to as the "munchies," as revealed by an innovative study backed by federal funds. Researchers at Washington State...

Maker of CBD products asks court to decide
The Petitions of the Week column highlights a selection of cert petitions recently filed in the Supreme Court. A list of all petitions we’re watching is available here. Organized crime, from the mafia to small-time money laundering schemes, often evades criminal...

Transcription of the 1789 Joint Resolution of Congress Proposing 12 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
This information was taken from archives.gov. One should assume it is factual... but assuming information is a fact is a perilous assumption. Here is what you paid for... Transcription of the 1789 Joint Resolution of Congress Proposing 12 Amendments to the U.S....

New laws for 2024 – Buckle Up
States nationwide will welcome the upcoming year with the implementation of laws tackling crucial matters such as gun violence, book bans, and the introduction of gender-neutral toy sections. These legislative advancements are set to take effect throughout 2024,...

Biden Issues More Cannabis Pardons but…
Joe Biden has extended pardons for individuals charged with simple cannabis possession and use, yet disappointingly, he has refrained from granting clemency to those currently incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses.In an extension of the previous year's extensive...

Working With and Not Against, IRS Revenue Code 280E
Cannabis operators face IRS Revenue Code 280E restrictions, but smart tax planning and strategies allow entrepreneurs to mitigate its impact on their business.Komorn Law is Michigan's top cannabis law firms when it comes to licensing, consulting and legal defense....

Department of Attorney General Prepares for MLEAC Accreditation
LANSING – The Michigan Department of Attorney General (DAG) recently welcomed a team of assessors from the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (MLEAC). The assessors came to examine all aspects of the Department’s compliance with the MLEAC standards in...

Oklahoma’s wild marijuana market is about to shrivel
The world's weed market, once booming with nearly 14,000 licensed medical marijuana businesses at its peak, has experienced a steady decline since Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly rejected a recreational legalization referendum in March. Heightened enforcement by state...