What is a motion in limine?

A motion in limine is a motion that is made before a court hearing begins in California. It is a request for the judge to order that certain evidence or statements not be shared with the jury. This motion is made to limit what evidence or statements can be presented in order to prevent any potential prejudice or bias from being introduced in the case. The judge will typically examine the motion before making a ruling on whether or not to grant it. It can include witness testimony, documents, or other evidence. For example, if the defendant has a criminal record that might be used to prejudice the jury against them, the defense attorney might make a motion in limine to not allow this information to be presented at the trial. If granted by the judge, the jury will never hear about the defendant’s criminal record and the defendant will not be prejudiced. It is important to note that a motion in limine is not a substitute for a jury instruction on the law. If the judge grants the motion in limine, the jury still needs to be aware of the underlying law that the motion protects, and the prosecutor may still be able to make their argument without the evidence or statement in question.

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What is a motion in limine?

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