Step 6 - Motion In Limine

One of the last steps a prosecutor takes before trial is to respond to, or file “Motions in Limine”. A “motion” is an application to the court made by the prosecutor or defense attorney, requesting that the court make a decision before the trial begins. The motion can affect the trial, courtroom, defendants, evidence, or testimony.

Only judges decide Motions in Limine.

In our case, the prosecutors brought Motions in Limine to get permission to obtain school disciplinary records of the neighborhood boys and to move the trial to a later date. The defense attorney made a motion requesting that the court exclude pieces of evidence or certain people from testifying against the defendant.