Objections

Common Objections
Ask and Answer - when the question being asked has both been asked and answered before by this attorney and this witness. It is not an objection to a question on a cross that has been in direct.

Hearsay - a statement made out of this court offered in court to prove the truth of a matter asserted. A statement is not hearsay if the word spoken are relevant, not what the words mean.

Lack of Authentication - this is a question of foundatiuon when trying to introduce a document into evidence. A document that is not self-authenticating or whose authenticity has not been stipulated to must be identified as true and accurate by a competent witness.

Lack of Foundation - The prerequisite evidence has not been entered that would make this evidence admissible. This could be proof that a confession has been made knowingly and voluntarily (predicate), that a witness is competent to testify to a fact, or that a document is admissible. This is a good objection to make when you're sure that the evidence about to come in is objectionable in some way, but you're not sure how so.

Leading - The question on direct suggests an answer. This is (1) not a objection on cross, and (2) actually allwed in some circumstances. Which circumstances depends on the court, as Louisiana and the Federal rules differ, but this basically covers all cases where leading is necessary to develope the testimony.

Non-responsive - The witness is not answer the question asked. Opinions differ, but this objection is primarily thought to be used only by the person asking the question.

Relevance - The evidence being solicited does not relate to merits of the case or another admissible purpose such as foundation or permissible character evidence. This is not the same as "irrelevancy" which is neither a real objection nor a real word.

Speculation - The witness does not have first-hand knowledge of the fact she is testifying to. Teis could be what someone else thought or why someone did something. It could also include what would have happened had x occured.

Assumption of Facts - This objection is used when the introductory part of a question assumes the truth of a material fact that is in dispute. Questions that assume facts are premitted only under cross-examination, and usually to impeach a witness' credibility.

To Introduce an Exhibit
(1) Mark for identification (2) Show opposing counsel

(3) Ask to approach witness

(4) "What is this?"

(5) "How do you know?"

(6) "Has it been altered since you last saw it?"

(7) Move to Offer, File, and Introduce exhibit

(8) Publish exhibit to jury (and USE IT)