Under the original and duplicate concept, which statement is correct?

• A. An original includes print-outs.
• B. A duplicate is never admissible.
• C. A handwritten copy is always a duplicate.
• D. A duplicate is not admissible in NY.

Answer: (A)

In the original and duplicate concept, the key idea is that an original document is the writing itself, while a duplicate is an exact copy produced by mechanical means or by a device that faithfully reproduces the original. The reason this matters for admissibility is that a duplicate is allowed to stand in for the original in most situations.

Print-outs fit this framework because they are typically exact reproductions of the content of the original document produced by a machine. If the print-out accurately reflects what the original contains, it can be treated as the original for purposes of admissibility, or at least as an admissible duplicate, subject to the usual authenticity concerns. That’s why the statement that an original includes print-outs is correct under this concept.

The other statements run counter to the rules: duplicates are generally admissible to the same extent as originals, so a duplicate is not inherently unusable in NY. A handwritten copy is not automatically a duplicate; whether it qualifies depends on whether it faithfully reproduces the original and was produced in the appropriate manner. And in NY, as in most jurisdictions, duplicates are admissible unless there’s a genuine issue about the original’s authenticity or a reason to distrust the copy.