Section 24 Copies vs. Originals

• Library: Administrative Law 2011

(9) Copies of writings, documents and records shall be admissible without proof that the originals thereof cannot be produced, if it shall appear by testimony or otherwise that the copy offered is a true copy of the original, but the agency may, nevertheless, if it believes the interests of justice so require, sustain any objection to such evidence which would be sustained were the proffered evidence offered in a civil action in the circuit court, but if it does sustain such an objection, it shall give the party offering such evidence reasonable opportunity and, if necessary, opportunity at a later date, to establish by evidence the facts sought to be proved by the evidence to which such objection is sustained.

Section 536.070(9), RSMo 2000.

Section 536.070(9) relaxes the best-evidence rule, which requires that a document introduced into evidence be the original unless there is a...