Objections & related procedures

• Author: Helen E. Freedman/Gerald Lebovits
• Pages: 19-52

1-1

CHAPTER 1

OBJECTIONS &

RELATED PROCEDURES

I. INTRODUCTION

§1:10 Applicable Rules

§1:20 Presentation and Admissibility of Evidence

II. OBJECTIONS

A. Principles

§1:30 Purpose

§1:40 Admission of Improper Evidence

§1:50 Preserving Record for Appeal

§1:60 Fundamental Error

§1:70 Harmless Error in Civil Cases

§1:80 Harmless Error in Criminal Cases

§1:90 Bases for Objecting

B. Procedure

1. General Points

§1:100 Pretrial Preparation

§1:110 When Not to Object

§1:120 Objecting in Limine

§1:130 Objecting at Trial

§1:140 Objecting in T ime

§1:150 Stating the Basis

2. Specic Types of Objections

§1:160 Objecting in Bench Trials

§1:170 Objecting to Question or Comment

§1:180 Objecting to Questions by Court

§1:190 Objecting to Documents

§1:200 Objecting to Opening or Closing Statement

§1:210 Objecting to Jury Charge

§1:220 Continuing Objections

3. Actions After Objection

§1:230 Taking an Exception

§1:240 Objection Sustained Against You

III. PROCEDURES RELATED TO OBJECTIONS

A. Motions in Limine

§1:250 Purpose

§1:260 Advantages and Disadvantages

NEW YORK OBJECTIONS 1-2

§1:270 In Civil Cases

§1:280 In Criminal Cases

§1:290 Procedure

§1:300 Ruling on Motion

§1:305 Appeal

B. Oers of Proof

§1:310 Denition and Purpose

§1:320 Procedure

§1:330 Opposing an Oer

C. Motions to Strike

§1:340 Denition and Purpose

§1:350 When to Move to Strike

D. Curative and Limiting Instructions

§1:360 Denition and Purpose

§1:370 Sample Curative Instructions

§1:380 Limiting Instructions

E. Motions for Mistrial

§1:390 Denition and Purpose

§1:400 When to Move for Mistrial

1-3 OBJECTIONS & RELATED PROCEDURES §1:30

I. INTRODUCTION

§1:10 Applicable Rules

In trying a case, you must follow the rules of procedure and evidence [CPLR Articles 40-45], the rules of court

[22 NYCRR 200.1 et seq.], and the rules of the particular trial courts themselves. You must also obey the state and

federal constitutions and comport yourself properly. 22 NYCRR §1200.00 (Rules of Professional Conduct); NY

Ct Rules §§604.1, 700.2 et seq. (Rules of Appellate Divisions). For attorney conduct, see Ch. 18.

Trial court judges are also required to follow procedural and evidentiary rules, to obey the state and federal

constitutions, and to act appropriately on and o the bench. NY Ct Rules §100.3; 22 NYCRR §§100.3(B), 700.2.

For judicial conduct, see Ch. 17.

§1:20 Presentation and Admissibility of Evidence

ere are four categories of evidence:

• Testimonial. See Chs. 14, 15, & 16.

• Documentary. See Ch. 11.

• Real. See Ch. 9.

• Demonstrative. See Ch. 13.

Generally, statutes, court rules, and custom provide a wide degree of latitude to allow parties to present at trial

whatever evidence is relevant and probative to establishing their cases.

After a party presents direct evidence through a witness, the opposing party has the right to cross-examine

the witness on any disputed fact. Friedel v. Board of Regents of University of the State of New York, 296 N.Y. 347, 73

N.E.2d 545 (1947); Hill v. Arnold, 226 A.D.2d 232, 640 N.Y.S.2d 892 (1st Dept. 1996) (cross-examination of

adverse witness is matter of right in every trial of disputed issue of fact). Cross-examination is designed to test the

reliability and veracity of testimony given on direct examination. Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 94 S.Ct. 1105, 39

L.Ed.2d 347 (1974); Feblot v. New York Times Co., 32 N.Y.2d 486, 346 N.Y.S.2d 256 (1973); Fusco v. Hobbes, 16

A.D.3d 1031, 791 N.Y.S.2d 790 (4th Dept. 2005).

Normally, the only limit on the evidence a party may introduce comes as a result of another party’s objection to

admitting of that evidence. See People v. Mezon, 80 N.Y.2d 155, 603 N.E.2d 943, 589 N.Y.S.2d 838 (1992) (parties

to litigation may adopt their own rules by simple expedient of failing to object to evidence); Andresen v. Kirschner,

297 A.D.2d 235, 746 N.Y.S.2d 258 (1st Dept. 2002) (since there was no objection to the evidence when it was

introduced, it was error to grant a new trial on the ground that settlement evidence had been admitted); CPLR

4017 (failure to object as prescribed in CPLR 4017 and 4110-b may restrict review on appeal under CPLR 5501).

Objections may be based on one or more of a variety of grounds. For common bases of objection, see §1:150; for

general procedure for objecting, see §1:130.

Once an objection is raised, the judge will either sustain it (ruling the evidence inadmissible) or overrule it

(admitting the evidence). For tactics after an objection has been sustained or overruled, see §§1:230-1:240.

II. OBJECTIONS

A. Principles

§1:30 Purpose

Objections have two primary purposes:

• ey seek to prevent the trier of fact (the judge at a bench trial; the jury at a jury trial) from hearing or

considering inadmissible or improper matter.

• ey preserve the record for purposes of appeal. See CPLR 4017, 4110-b, 5501; CPL 470.05, 470.15.

Objections may also serve tactical purposes:

• ey can interrupt or disrupt the ow of evidence, diverting attention from or lessening the impact of

damaging testimony or evidence. If you are on the receiving end of such tactical objections, you may be