A "motion in limine" is a pretrial motion that seeks the exclusion of specific evidence or arguments from being presented during a trial. A motion in limine is decided by the judge outside of the presence of the jury. The purpose of a motion in limine is to address potentially prejudicial, irrelevant, or inadmissible information that could unduly influence a jury or hinder the fair administration of justice.
By filing a motion in limine, attorneys aim to prevent the opposing side from presenting evidence that could be highly emotional or legally problematic, thus avoiding any potential prejudice that could arise.
Motions in limine are particularly valuable in cases where the mention of certain facts or information could taint the proceedings, and where the potential harm caused by their introduction might be irreparable.
Motions in limine are often used to limit or exclude expert testimony under the Daubert Standard. Such motions regarding expert witnesses are usually filed after the close of discovery, with a hearing on the motion in limine held prior to trial.
[Last updated in August 2023 by Jim Robinson, Esq., JurisPro Expert Witness Directory]