Common
Objections
Objections
This objection applies when a question asks about information that has no bearing or importance to the facts of the case.
What is Relevance?
Defense Attorney: "Mrs. Davis, your son Marcus was home with you, watching movies the entire night the car was stolen, isn't that correct?"
Witness (Mother): "Yes, that's correct."
What is a Leading Question?
Get asked questions – they tell the facts
What is a Witness?
Ask questions, make speeches – they highlight the facts & help the jury interpret
What is an Attorney?
What date are regionals on this year?
What is Saturday, February 6th, 2027?
an attorney's question that is ambiguous, unclear, or open to multiple interpretations
What is a Vague Question?
Prosecutor: "What did you see on the night of the crime?"
Witness: "I looked out my window and saw a shadow near the garage. It looked like the defendant. He looked incredibly angry, and I just knew he was planning to kill her right then and there."
What is Speculation?
a formal, verbal protest raised by a student attorney to block an improper question or piece of testimony before it is entered into the record
What is an Objection?
a formal spoken or written statement that something is true, usually given by a witness under oath in a court of law
What is Testimony?
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What is the American Mock Trial Association?
An attorney asks a question that is too broad, or when a witness goes on a long, unguided ramble instead of answering a specific question
What is a Narrative?
Plaintiff's Attorney: "Can you describe the day you signed the contract, and did the defendant seem distracted, and what did they say to you right after you shook hands?"
Witness (CEO): "Well, it was a Tuesday..."
What is a Compound Question?
The overarching category. It includes both testimonial (what a witness says out loud) and real/documentary (physical or digital items)
What is Evidence?
The questioning of a witness by the opposing party during a trial or hearing
What is Cross - Examination?
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An attorney is trying to introduce evidence or witness testimony without first establishing the necessary background facts
What is Lack of Foundation?
Defense Attorney: "Isn't it true that five years ago, you were fired from a completely different job for stealing money out of the cash register?"
Prosecutor: "Objection!"
What is Improper Character Evidence?
A physical object, photograph, map, text message log, or document that has been marked for identification.
What is an Exhibit?
Your side’s story of what happened.
What is a Theory?
Mock trial rules strictly prohibit these, meaning a student playing a doctor cannot wear a stethoscope or lab coat
What is a costume?
An attorney asks a question that presupposes unproven or unintroduced facts as true before they have been established through testimony or exhibits
What is Assuming Facts Not in Evidence?
Defense Attorney: "You testified that the streetlights were on, but isn't it true that you were standing over 100 feet away from the fight?"
Witness: "Yes, I was 100 feet away, but I have 20/20 vision, and I distinctly saw the defendant reach into his pocket, pull out a brass knuckle, and yell 'I'm going to destroy you!' right before he swung."
What is a Non-Responsive Answer?
A short, memorable phrase that describes your side’s case theory
What is a Theme?
A theme that utilizes two opposing ideas, often separated by a comma or a period.
What is a Balanced Theme?
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