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HomeEvidence CodeDiv. 3Ch. 4Art. 1§ 356 Complete Evidence Admission

§ 356 Complete Evidence Admission

Evidence Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 356 Complete Evidence Admission

Key Takeaways

  • •If someone shows part of a conversation, letter, or document in court, the other side can show the rest of it to explain the full story.
  • •If a letter is used as evidence, the reply to that letter can also be shown.
  • •If a small part of something is shown in court, other parts can be shown too if they help make sense of it.

Example

In a court case, someone shows a text message where a person says, 'I'll pay you back next week.'

The other side can show the rest of the text conversation to prove that the person actually meant they would pay back next year, not next week.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 356 Complete Evidence Admission

Where part of an act, declaration, conversation, or writing is given in evidence by one party, the whole on the same subject may be inquired into by an adverse party; when a letter is read, the answer may be given; and when a detached act, declaration, conversation, or writing is given in evidence, any other act, declaration, conversation, or writing which is necessary to make it understood may also be given in evidence. (Enacted by Stats. 1965, Ch. 299.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

actdeclarationconversationwritingevidenceadverse party

Related Statutes

  • § 351.2 Immigration Status Evidence Ban
  • § 1400 Writing Authentication Rules
  • § 1401 Writing Authentication Requirement
  • § 1002 Patient Intent Property Documents
  • § 1003 Deceased Patient Property Disputes

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Evidence Code. Section 356.
View Official Source