Objection

The process by which one party takes exception to some statement or procedure. An objection is either sustained (allowed) or overruled by the judge.

A protest by an attorney, challenging a statement or question made at trial. Common objections include an attorney “leading the witness” or a witness making a statement that is hearsay. Once an objection is made, the judge must decide whether to allow the question or statement.

When an attorney alerts the judge to potential problems which may be caused by admission of evidence and asks the court to prevent the jury from hearing the evidence. An attorney who disagrees with a ruling by the court must register an objection to that ruling in order to make the trial record clear and establish the right to object to the ruling before the appellate court, should there be an appeal.