Court Reporter Practice Exam

What is a motion in limine?

1. A motion made at the end of the trial

2. A request for a jury trial

3. A motion made at the outset of the trial

4. A plea for sentencing reduction

The correct answer is: A motion made at the outset of the trial

A motion in limine is indeed made at the outset of the trial. This legal motion is used by parties to request that certain evidence be deemed inadmissible, or restricted in its presentation, before the trial begins. The primary purpose of a motion in limine is to prevent prejudicial evidence from being presented in front of a jury, which may influence their judgment or bias their understanding of the case prior to hearing the full context. This motion is often critical because it helps establish the boundaries of what can be discussed or shown during the trial, setting the groundwork for a fair trial. For example, a party may file a motion in limine to keep out evidence that is irrelevant or that has the potential to confuse or mislead the jury. The other options do not accurately describe a motion in limine. For instance, a motion made at the end of the trial pertains to post-trial motions and not preemptive actions taken to limit evidence before the jury is impaneled. A request for a jury trial is a procedural step that indicates a desire to have a jury decide the case rather than a judge, which does not relate to evidentiary restrictions. Lastly, a plea for sentencing reduction usually refers to post-conviction proceedings and