Rule 11-1004 Admissibility of other evidence of content.

Normally, if you want to prove what a document, recording, or photo says, you need to bring the actual original to court. But this rule lists some situations where you can use a copy or describe the content some other way instead.

You don't need the original if it's been lost or destroyed, as long as you didn't lose or destroy it on purpose to keep it out of evidence. You also don't need it if there's no legal way to get the original, like if it's outside the court's power to obtain through subpoena or other process.

Another situation is when the other side has the original. If they knew ahead of time, through court papers or some other clear notice, that the original would matter at trial, and they still don't bring it to court, then you can use other evidence to show what it contained.

Finally, if the document, recording, or photo isn't really tied to a major issue in the case, the court doesn't require the original. In that situation, a copy or description is good enough because the content isn't central to the dispute.