What is a motion in limine?

A motion in limine is a legal request made to the court before a trial starts. It is typically used to prevent one party from introducing evidence at the trial that could be prejudicial or damaging to the other party. In Maryland, a motion in limine can be granted if the judge finds that the evidence is prejudicial, lacking in probative value, or if there is a risk of confusion or prejudice to the jury. This motion can be used to prevent certain evidence from being heard or scrutinized during the trial, such as hearsay evidence, evidence that is irrelevant to the case, or evidence that would be too time-consuming. For example, if a witness is expected to provide lengthy testimony about a certain topic that is not relevant to the trial, the party at risk can file a motion in limine to keep that evidence out of the trial. This can help to expedite the trial and prevent the jury from having to consider evidence that could be distracting or difficult to evaluate.

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