Chapter 2 - § 2.2 • PURPOSE

• Jurisdiction: Colorado

§ 2.2 • PURPOSE

Colorado

➢ General. A motion in limine is a pretrial motion to limit or exclude evidence, raising preliminarily an issue of evidence believed by the movant to be prejudicial. Bd. of County Comm'rs v. Kobobel, 176 P.3d 860 (Colo. App. 2007).

➢ General. The use of motions and orders in limine is approved to forestall the introduction of potentially prejudicial evidence until the court has ruled on its admissibility outside the presence of the jury. Only after hearing evidence can a trial court determine whether a proper foundation exists and whether the evidence is legally relevant. Good v. A. B. Chance Co., 565 P.2d 217, 221 (Colo. App. 1977), superseded on other grounds, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19366; Bruckman v. Pena, 487 P.2d 566, 569 (Colo. App. 1971).

➢ General. Motions in limine are inappropriate when trial is to the court. Colorado Land & Resources v. Credithrift of America, Inc., 778 P.2d 320, 322 (Colo. App. 1989); see also Good v. A. B. Chance Co., 565 P.2d 217, 221 (Colo. App. 1977), superseded on other grounds, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19366.

➢ Scope. A motion in limine allows the trial court to consider the exclusion of evidence that may be logically, but not legally, relevant. Good v. A. B. Chance Co., 565 P.2d 217, 221 (Colo. App. 1977), superseded on other grounds, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19366.

➢ Scope. "Because a motion in limine shortens trial, simplifies issues, and reduces the possibility of mistrial, its function is not unlike the pre-trial conference, and it may accomplish similar ends." Good v. A. B. Chance Co., 565 P.2d 217, 221 (Colo. App. 1977), superseded on other grounds, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19366.

➢ Scope. "Presentation of issues by means of motions in limine offers opportunities to expedite trials, eliminate bench conferences, avoid juror annoyance, and permit more accurate rulings." Uptain v. Huntington Lab, Inc., 723 P.2d 1322, 1330 (Colo. 1986), overruled as stated in Wagner v. Case Corp., 33 F.3d 1253 (10th Cir. 1994).
➢ Scope.

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