Section 9.24 Offers of Proof

• Library: Civil Trial Practice 2015 Supp

5. (§9.24) Offers of Proof

Inevitably, there will be occasions during the trial of a case in which the trial judge rules that he or she will not permit counsel to introduce certain evidence. If the trial attorney feels that the trial judge is in error, counsel must make an offer of proof to preserve the issue for appellate review. The Supreme Court of Missouri enunciated the requirements for an offer of proof in State v. Townsend, 737 S.W.2d 191, 192 (Mo. banc 1987). Generally, a formal offer of proof should be made so that both the trial judge and the appellate court will be in a position...