Legal Definitions - Motion In Limine

Definition: A request made before a trial begins, asking the judge to exclude certain evidence from being presented in court.

Example: In a criminal trial, the defense attorney may file a motion in limine to prevent the prosecution from introducing evidence of the defendant's prior criminal record. The defense attorney may argue that this evidence is irrelevant to the current case and could unfairly prejudice the jury against the defendant.

Explanation: A motion in limine is a legal tool used to prevent certain evidence from being presented in court. This can be done to protect a defendant's rights, ensure a fair trial, or prevent irrelevant or prejudicial evidence from being introduced. In the example given, the defense attorney is using a motion in limine to prevent the prosecution from introducing evidence that could unfairly prejudice the jury against their client.