Common Objections
1. Relevance: The evidence or testimony is not relevant to the case.
2. Hearsay: The witness is testifying about something they did not personally observe.
3. Leading Question: The question suggests the answer to the witness.
4. Speculation: The witness is asked to guess or speculate.
"What do you think the defendant was thinking at that moment?"
5. Argumentative: The question is intended to provoke an argument rather than elicit information.
"Isn't it true that you are lying about what happened?"
6. Lack of Foundation: The evidence or testimony lacks proper foundation.
"Can you explain how you obtained this document?"
7. Improper Character Evidence: Evidence is introduced to attack the character of the witness or
party.
"Have you ever been convicted of a crime?"
8. Ambiguous: The question is unclear or confusing.
"What do you mean by 'unusual activity'?"
9. Cumulative: The evidence is repetitive and does not add new information.
"Can you provide more details about the incident?"
10. Privilege: The information is protected by a legal privilege (e.g., attorney-client privilege).
11. Improper Form: The form of the question is improper.
"Did you discuss this matter with your attorney?"
12. Non-responsive: The witness does not answer the question asked.
13. Badgering the Witness: The attorney is harassing or intimidating the witness.
14. Beyond the Scope: The question goes beyond the scope of direct examination.
15. Double Jeopardy: The defendant is being tried for the same offense twice.
16. Incompetent Witness: The witness is not competent to testify.
17. Improper Impeachment: The method of impeaching the witness is improper.
18. Best Evidence Rule: The original document is not being presented.
19. Conclusion of Law: The witness is asked to make a legal conclusion.
20. Motion in Limine: A motion to prevent certain evidence from being presented.
21. Lack of Personal Knowledge
Question: "What do you think the defendant was doing at that time?"
22. Calls for a Narrative Response
Question: "Can you tell us everything that happened that day?"
23. Compound Question
Question: "Did you see the defendant and did he have a weapon?"
24. Improper Opinion
Question: "Do you think the defendant is guilty?"
25. Asked and Answered
• Objection: "Your Honor, I object on the grounds that the question has been asked and
answered."
• Question: "Can you repeat what you said about the events on the night of [date]?"
Common Motions
1. Motion to Dismiss: Requests the court to dismiss the case due to lack of merit.
2. Motion for Summary Judgment: Seeks a judgment without a full trial, based on the evidence
presented.
3. Motion for a New Trial: Requests a new trial due to errors or new evidence.
4. Motion for Reconsideration: Asks the court to reconsider a previous ruling.
5. Motion for Extension of Time: Requests more time to complete a legal action.
6. Motion to Suppress Evidence: Seeks to exclude certain evidence from the trial.
7. Motion for Continuance: Requests to postpone the trial to a later date.
8. Motion for Production of Documents: Requests the opposing party to produce specific
documents.
9. Motion to Quash: Seeks to nullify a previous court order or process.
10. Motion for Bail: Requests the release of the defendant on bail
11. Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings: Requests a judgment based on the pleadings alone.
12. Motion to Strike: Requests to remove certain parts of the pleadings.
13. Motion for Default Judgment: Requests a judgment in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant
fails to respond.
14. Motion for Injunction: Requests a court order to stop or start certain actions.
15. Motion for Protective Order: Requests protection from harassment or undue burden during
discovery.
16. Motion to Compel: Requests the court to order the opposing party to comply with discovery
requests.
17. Motion for Sanctions: Requests penalties against the opposing party for misconduct.
18. Motion for Leave to Amend: Requests permission to amend the pleadings.
19. Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law: Requests a judgment because there is no legally
sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to find for the other party.
20. Motion for Severance: Requests to separate claims or defendants into different trials.
