Motion in Limine

Term: Motion in LimineDefinition: A pre-trial request made by a party to a judge to exclude certain evidence or arguments from being presented in court, to prevent prejudicing the jury.Phonetic Pronunciation: (MOH-shun in LIM-in-ee)Origin: The term "motion in limine" comes from Latin, where "in limine" means "at the threshold." It refers to the practice of addressing issues at the outset of a trial, before the jury is exposed to potentially prejudicial information.Significance in Asbestos Context: In asbestos litigation, motions in limine are crucial for managing the introduction of evidence related to the defendant's liability and the plaintiff's exposure history. They help ensure that only relevant and admissible evidence is presented, which can significantly impact the outcome of the trial.Example Sentence: In the asbestos exposure case, the defense filed a motion in limine to exclude testimony about unrelated health conditions that could bias the jury.Related Terms: Pre-trial motion, evidentiary ruling, jury prejudice, voir dire, admissible evidence.Notes: - Motions in limine are not always granted, and their outcomes can be appealed. - They are often used to exclude inflammatory or irrelevant evidence. - The decision on a motion in limine can be revisited during the trial if circumstances change.