What is a motion in limine?

A motion in limine is a legal request made in a court case in California. It is a motion made before trial that requests the court to issue an order preventing the introduction of evidence that has been deemed to be inadmissible, irrelevant, or both. A motion in limine is an important tool for attorneys as it prevents the admission of evidence that could be damaging to their client’s case. In California, a motion in limine is typically filed when evidence is deemed to be too prejudicial, which means that the evidence would unfairly influence the jury. It can be used to prevent evidence from being presented to the jury that could be damaging or could change their opinion of the case. This may include evidence that is false or misleading, hearsay evidence, or evidence that would be too personal or uncomfortable for the jury to hear. While the motion in limine is quite common in California courts, the court does not always grant the motion. Instead, the court may opt to give jurors a cautionary instruction, such as “You may consider all evidence in this case, but you should not let this particular piece of evidence influence your decision.” In summary, a motion in limine is a request filed in a California court to prohibit the introduction of certain evidence that is deemed to be inadmissible, irrelevant, or both. It is a useful legal tool for attorneys as it can prevent the jury from being unfairly influenced by evidence that may be damaging or uncomfortable. However, the court may opt to allow jurors a cautionary instruction to address the issue.

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