Motions in limine seek advance rulings on admissibility, permitting parties to plan presentation and avoid prejudicial disclosures before the jury. Rulings may be definitive or provisional.
Provisional rulings require renewal at trial.
Alternative Names:
At the Threshold|Preliminary
Why it Matters?
Whether a ruling is definitive determines preservation, since a provisional ruling requires renewing the objection when the evidence is offered while a definitive one preserves the issue without renewal. Courts frequently do not specify which they intended, and asking for clarification on the record is the protective step. Obtaining a ruling before opening statements prevents inadvertent reference to excluded material.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Does a limine ruling preserve the objection?
What is the protective step?
