Motion In Limine: Fill & Download for Free

A motion in limine is a motion that asks that certain pieces of evidence (e.g., documents, testimony) not be shown to the jury at trial. For example, in a trial about a breach of contract, I might file a motion in limine to exclude any mention that my client was previously sued for breaching a contract several years ago, on the basis that the allegation is irrelevant and unduly prejudicial. An order on a motion in limine is merely the court's ruling on the motion.

I could spin a few yarns here, but the nuances of really superior lawyering are not always as interesting to a general audience as this little gem.It was during motions in limine on a personal injury case.Motions in limine are pre-trial motions to determine crucial evidentiary objections—in California it is standard practice for the insurer to file a ton of motions seeking to block everything and you have to slog through them one by one. If such a motion is granted, then there is an entire item or category of evidence that will not be permitted at trial. These are “make or break” motions.I was observing closely because this was a case way beyond my then current level of expertise and involving hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages.The Plaintiff’s attorney was an acquaintance. He was tall.The judge was one of the most powerful and experienced judges in the county, in fact, the county law library was named after him. The judge was short.As I watched the proceedings there were numerous breaks where the judge would leave the bench and walk to counsel table—these were pre-trial motions and there were neither jurors nor spectators present, just the lawyers hashing out the scope of the trial set to begin the next morning.Every time that judge came anywhere near the Plaintiff’s attorney, the Plaintiff’s attorney smoothly slid into a chair so that he had to look up in order to talk to the judge.No matter when, where or how that judge came near the Plaintiff’s attorney, there was a seat and it was assumed so smoothly you would have thought that the Plaintiff’s attorney was a trained dancer.He was always looking up at the judge.Not surprisingly, Plaintiff’s Counsel prevailed on just about every one of the motions and the case promptly settled in Plaintiff’s favor and comfortably within the amount that would be considered a “win”.A good lawyer knows the law, a great lawyer knows the judge.

Thanks Kabir Bedi for A2A.Motions are the part of litigation[1]. After the complaint and answer have been filed, the next stage is motion. When a plaintiff, prosecutor, or defendant asks the court or judge to rule on a specific issue, that request is known as a motion.There are different kinds of motions like:Summary judgment motion,Motion in limine,Motion to dismiss,Discovery motions,Motion to compel,Motion to strike,Motion for new trial etc.Footnotes[1] Litigation Support Services