Section 8.5 Objections

• Library: Civil Trial Practice 2015 Supp

IV. (§8.5) Objections

A common error made during opening statement is objecting to statement(s) of opposing counsel and then failing to renew the objection when the actual evidence is offered. Objections made in advance of the actual offer of evidence are premature and preserve nothing for review. Opening statements are, therefore, treated exactly in the same manner as motions in limine. Objections preserve nothing if the evidence is subsequently offered without objection. Smith v. Associated Natural Gas Co., 7 S.W.3d 530, 536 (Mo. App. S.D. 1999); Cullison v. Thiessen,
51 S.W.3d 508, 512 (Mo. App. W.D. 2001); see also Crawford v. Detring, 965 S.W.2d 188, 192 (Mo. App...