Mock Trial Objections

Procedure

100

How do you challenge something the other side is bringing into evidence?

Stand and say: "I object your honor."

200

If you have more to say to support your objection, what should you say?

"May I be heard?"

300

What does the Judge say when he agrees with the objection?

Sustained

400

What is the decision of the judge if he or she disagrees with the objection?

Overruled

500

What do you do if you disagree with the Judge's ruling on your objection?

Sit down. 

Form Objections

100

During direct examination:

"You went to your mom's house later that night, didn't you?"

Leading Question

200

"Did you determine the time of death by interviewing witnesses and by requesting the autopsy report written by the coroner?"

Compound Question 

300

Atty: Did you stop at the stop sign on 5th and Main?

Witness: no

Atty: So, to be clear, you ran the stop sign?

Asked and Answered. 

400

Atty: "So, what happened?"

Witness: ...

Vague 

500

Atty: So what did you tell the police officers on scene?

Calls for Hearsay

Common Objections

100

"First thing I did was get up and go to work. It was a fairly normal day at work until the robbery, which happened around 1pm. After that the police came and began interviewing people. I was taken to the station and was there until around 10pm. After that I went home..." 

Objection: Narrative Answer

200

In a murder case, the attorney ask the defendant what is his favorite movie?

Objection: Relevance

300

"I think Drew was have a psychotic episode--he was blabbering on and on about nothing."

Objection: Improper (Lay-Witness) Opinion

400

"He said that the shipment of the drugs would get here at 8 PM"

Hearsay

500

(Defendant is charged with shoplifting)

"Haven't you been charged with shoplifting 4 times before today's trial?"

Improper Character Evidence

Impeachment

100

When can you use a witness' prior out-of-court statement?

If they say something inconsistent (Impeachment)

200

These are the words you say to lock a witness into their inconsistent statement:

Is it your testimony today that....

OR

It's your testimony today that... 

300

What do you show the witness during an impeachment?

Their affidavit.

400

How do you authenticate the witness' affidavit?

You ask them if it is their statement and if their signature is on the last page. (Also establish they were under oath)

500

What do you do when you are finished impeaching the witness?

Take the affidavit back and continue your questions.

Foundation

100

After you have established what an exhibit is and how the witness knows it, what is the last thing to ask before you move for admission?

Is it a true and accurate representation of...?

200

What is the objection if the other side does not establish the proper foundation for certain testimony, an exhibit, or the admission of an expert?

Lack of Foundation

300

What is the objection if a witness is not familiar with an exhibit the other side is trying to ask them about?

Lack of Personal Knowledge

400

What must an expert have to qualify as an expert?

Scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge that will help the trier of fact understand the evidence or determine a fact in issue.

500

What must an expert have relied on to form their expert opinion? (Must have BOTH)

Sufficient Facts and Data

AND

Reliable Principles and Methods