Objections are the first response to direct examination and its exhibits. This is part of the dialectic process of a trial. Lawyers battle over admissible evidence and how it gets to the jury. I am looking for the following:

  • How did you word the objection? Did you use the language of the rule to emphasize your point?  Did you make them without antagonizing the jury? Could the jurors see the fairness of your complaint? 
  • What tactics did you use? Did you consider a motion in limine, either before trial or before the witness took the stand? Or did it make more sense to do it orally? 
  • How did the opposing lawyer respond to the objection and were you ready for it? 
  • Did you understand the rule and the purpose behind it?

Roy Black’s Criminal Evidence Workshop