The Art of the Objection.

Posted By Cliff Tuttle | September 30, 2011

No. 726

  Like so many things that lawyers do, stating objections in court requires preparation, experience and skill.  If you don’t state your grounds quickly, the damage may be done, even if the objection is sustained.  Making frequent objections, especially when they are being overruled, can make you look like an obstructionist and cause the fact-finder(s) to wonder what kind of bombshell evidence you are trying to keep  out of the record.

Nevertheless, cases are won and lost on evidence admitted and evidence excluded.  Identifying key evidence and framing your objection  in advance is how its done.  Here’s a link to a short, pithy post in the Lawyerist on the subject.  As Horace Rumpole (pictured rising to address the court) might say, we’re just trying to improve your education.

CLT

Welcome

CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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