What is Rule 1003 about?

• A. Public records and their summaries.
• B. Past recollection recorded.
• C. The duplicates are admissible to the same extent as the original unless a genuine question about the original's authenticity is raised.
• D. The original writing is required to prove its contents unless an exception applies.

Answer: (C)

Duplicates are treated the same as the original for evidentiary purposes, provided there isn’t a genuine question about the original’s authenticity. In Rule 1003, a duplicate means any copy of a document—photocopy, photograph, electronic printout, etc.—and it can be admitted to prove the content just as the original would be. The key caveat is that if there’s real doubt about whether the copy accurately represents the original, the court may require the original or additional authentication. This rule helps keep trials efficient while safeguarding against admitting a misleading duplicate.