Objections Cheatsheet

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Generally

• ☐ Irrelevance
• ☐ Compound Question
• ☐ No foundation/Assumes facts not proven
• ☐ Misquoting prior evidence/statement
• ☐ Hearsay
• ☐ Asked and answered
• ☐ Badgering, harassing witness
• ☐ arguing with witness
• ☐ Asking witness for inadmissible opinion
• ☐ Character not in issue
• ☐ Monologuing/Editorizating
• ☐ Privilege (Solicitor-Client; Informer; Litigation)
• ☐ Vague/Misleading question
• ☐ Contradicting Collateral Facts (see Collateral Fact Rule
• ☐ Leading Question (on direct examination only)

On Sexual Assault Cases

Prior Sexual History

• ☐ Sexual contact with anyone, except contact at issue in trial

Sexual Assault Myths

• Failure of the complainant to "fight back"
• Failure of the complainant to "scream" or "call for help"
• Failure of the complainant to report the assault in a timely manner

On Calling Counter-Evidence

• Failure to confront opposing witness with counter-story (Rule in Browne v Dunn)