Managing Editor: Ward Miller, Esq.Production: Adam Pringle

Amanda Winkler

(Rev. 8, 3/12)

IllinoisObjections

Gerald F. GrubbDaniel M. Locallo

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James Publishing, Inc.ISBN: 1-58012-087-3

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Illinois Objections F-2

1st Edition, 11/03Revision 1, 12/04Revision 2, 12/05Revision 3, 11/06Revision 4, 11/07Revision 5, 10/08Revision 6, 12/09Revision 7, 2/11Revision 8, 3/12

About the Authors

Gerald F. Grubb was Chief Judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit(Winnebago and Boone Counties). He was appointed Assistant CityAttorney for Belvidere in 1975 and Assistant State’s Attorney forBoone County in 1976, elected State’s Attorney for Boone County in1980, appointed Associate Judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit in 1987,and elected Circuit Judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit in 1996. Heretired from the bench in 2007.

Judge Grubb has presided over major civil and criminal trials for 16years, including cases in products liability, Structural Work Act, wrong-ful death, medical malpractice, toxic torts, zoning, injunction, businesstorts, personal injury, reckless homicide, drug trafficking, attemptedmurder, murder, and capital murder. He prosecuted major felony casesfor seven years. He is a 1975 graduate of John Marshall Law School.

Daniel M. Locallo is a Circuit Court Judge of Cook Countyassigned to the Law Division since 1999. He presides over jury tri-als at the Daley Center in Chicago and has had over 100 civil jury tri-als. Previously he was assigned to the Criminal Division within theFelony Trial Division at the Criminal Courts Building, where hepresided over more than 100 criminal jury trials from 1992 until1998. He was appointed an Associate Judge in 1986 and elected aCircuit Judge in 1992.

Judge Locallo is former Chair of the Criminal Law SectionCouncil of the Illinois State Bar Association. He has taught in semi-nars for continuing education for judges within the Circuit Court ofCook County and State of Illinois on both civil and criminal matters,and has co-authored manuals on both complex criminal and civil lit-igation. He graduated from John Marshall Law School in 1977.

(Rev. 8, 3/12)

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Editorial Advisory BoardPeter J. BermanPeter J. Berman, Ltd.Chicago, Illinois

Frederick BrandtKostantacos, Reuterfors, McWilliams, Brant & Green, P.C.Rockford, Illinois

David J. BrassfieldBrassfield, Krueger & Ramlow, Ltd.Rockford, Illinois

Hal R. MorrisArnstein & Lehr LLPChicago, Illinois

Frank A. PerreconeFerolie, Perrecone & White, Ltd.Rockford, Illinois

Douglas J. PomattoHeyl Royster Voelker & AllenRockford, Illinois

Michael C. RosenblatMichael C. Rosenblat, P.C.Glenview, Illinois

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Procedures for Objections & MotionsI. Introduction

§1:10 Applicable Rules§1:20 Presentation and Admissibility of Evidence

II. ObjectionsA. Principles

§1:30 Purpose§1:40 Admission of Improper Evidence§1:50 Preserving Record for Appeal§1:60 Plain Error§1:70 Harmless Error in Civil Cases§1:80 Harmless Error in Criminal Cases§1:90 Bases for Objecting

B. Procedure1. General Points

§1:100 Pretrial Preparation§1:110 When Not to Object§1:120 Objecting in Limine§1:130 Objecting at Trial§1:140 Objecting in Time§1:150 Stating the Basis

2. Specific Types of Objections§1:160 Objecting in Bench Trials§1:170 Objecting to Question or Comment§1:180 Objecting to Questions by Court§1:190 Objecting to Documents§1:200 Objecting to Opening or Closing Statement§1:210 Objecting to Jury Charge§1:220 Continuing Objections

3. Action After Objection§1:230 Objection Sustained Against You

III. Procedures Related to ObjectionsA. Motions in Limine

§1:240 Purpose§1:250 Advantages and Disadvantages§1:260 In Civil Cases§1:270 In Criminal Cases§1:280 Procedure§1:290 Ruling on Motion

(Rev. 8, 3/12)

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B. Offers of Proof§1:300 Definition and Purpose§1:310 Procedure§1:320 Opposing an Offer

C. Motions to Strike§1:330 Definition and Purpose§1:340 When to Move to Strike

D. Curative and Limiting Instructions§1:350 Definition and Purpose§1:360 Sample Curative Instructions§1:370 Limiting Instructions

E. Motions for Mistrial§1:380 Definition and Purpose§1:390 When to Move for Mistrial

Chapter 2 Jury SelectionI. Principles

A. Governing Law§2:10 Civil Trials§2:20 Criminal Trials

B. Participants§2:30 Judge§2:40 Litigants

C. Procedure§2:50 General Rules§2:60 Methods of Jury Selection§2:70 Objectionable Behavior by Counsel§2:80 How to Object§2:90 Obtaining Rulings

D. Examining the Panel1. Generally

§2:100 Permissible Topics§2:110 Ability to Discharge Jury Function§2:120 Exploring Prejudices

2. Limits Judge May Impose§2:130 Rhetorical and Repetitive Questions§2:140 Examine Outside Panel’s Presence§2:150 Time Limits§2:160 Judicial Voir Dire

E. Challenges§2:170 Overview§2:180 Challenges to Panel§2:190 Challenges for Cause§2:200 Peremptory Challenges

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II. Objections§2:210 Arguing Case§2:220 Legal Matters§2:230 Repetitiveness§2:240 Indoctrinating Jury §2:250 Discriminatory Use of Peremptory Challenges

Chapter 3 Opening StatementI. Principles

§3:10 Purpose§3:20 Right to Make Statement§3:30 Who Opens First§3:40 Recording Openings§3:50 Avoiding Objections§3:60 Objecting to Opponent’s Opening§3:70 Motions to Dismiss and Motions for Directed Verdict§3:80 Using Demonstrative Evidence

II. Objections§3:90 Arguing Case§3:100 Erroneous Matter§3:110 Personal Attacks; Injection of Self; Inflammatory Statements§3:120 Failure to Set Forth Claim§3:130 Financial or Personal Circumstances§3:140 Insurance Coverage§3:150 Settlement Negotiations§3:160 Repairs

Chapter 4 Relevance & MaterialityI. Principles

§4:10 Overview§4:20 Trial Court Discretion§4:30 Balancing Probative Value and Prejudice§4:40 Evidence Admissible for Limited Purposes

II. Objection§4:50 Relevance and Materiality

Chapter 5 Confusing, Prejudicial & Bolstering§5:10 Ambiguous, Confusing, Unintelligible or Vague§5:20 Compound§5:30 Prejudicial§5:40 Self-Serving§5:50 Bolstering: Enhancing Witness’ Credibility

(Rev. 8, 3/12)

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Chapter 6 HearsayI. Principles

A. Hearsay Rule§6:10 Definition and Purpose§6:20 Non-Hearsay Distinguished§6:30 Effect of Hearsay Admitted Without Objection

B. Exceptions to Hearsay Rule§6:40 Overview§6:50 Availability of Declarant§6:60 No Wild Card Exception

II. ObjectionsA. General Objections

§6:70 Hearsay§6:80 Hearsay Within Hearsay

B. Objections Involving Hearsay Exceptions1. Declarant Must Be Unavailable

§6:90 Former Testimony§6:100 Declarations Against Interest§6:110 Dying Declaration§6:120 Pedigree

2. Declarant Must Be Available§6:130 Prior Inconsistent Statements§6:140 Past Recollection Recorded

3. Declarant’s Availability Irrelevant§6:150 Admissions§6:160 Business, Hospital and Police Records§6:170 Public Documents§6:180 State of Mind§6:190 Excited Utterance or Spontaneous Declaration§6:200 Forfeiture by Wrongdoing

Chapter 7 PrivilegesI. Principles

§7:10 Definition and Purpose§7:20 Categories of Privileges§7:30 Asserting Privilege§7:40 Effect of Establishing Privilege§7:50 Disclosure About Official Proceeding

II. ObjectionsA. Constitutional Privilege

§7:60 Self-Incrimination

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B. Statutory Privileges§7:70 Attorney Work Product and Material Prepared for Litigation§7:80 Physician-Patient§7:90 Husband-Wife§7:100 Clergyman§7:110 Reporter§7:120 Therapist§7:130 Social Worker§7:140 Accountant§7:150 Rape Crisis Counselor§7:160 Counselor of Victim of Violent Crime§7:170 Interpreter§7:180 Voter§7:190 Testifying While Proceedings Are Broadcast, Televised, or Filmed§7:200 Unemployment Records§7:210 Insurance Compliance Self-Evaluation Audit§7:220 Environmental Audit§7:230 Medical Studies Act§7:235 Trade Secrets

C. Common-Law Privileges§7:240 Attorney-Client§7:250 State Secrets or Official Information§7:260 Informant§7:270 Critical Self-Analysis Privilege§7:280 Judicial Deliberation Privilege§7:290 Privilege of Competition

Chapter 8 Witness CompetenceI. Principles

A. General Points§8:10 Definition and Presumption§8:20 Competency Warning Signs§8:30 Impeachment Distinguished§8:40 Privilege Distinguished§8:50 Physical Impairment or Inability to Speak English

B. Procedure§8:60 Raising and Determining Competency§8:70 Preliminary Hearing§8:80 Effect of Competency Determination

II. Objections§8:90 Absence of Oath or Affirmation§8:100 Lack of Personal Knowledge

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§8:110 Immaturity§8:120 Mental Incompetency§8:130 Intoxication§8:140 Dead-Man’s Act

Chapter 9 Witness ExaminationI. Principles

§9:10 Direct Examination§9:20 Cross-Examination§9:30 Redirect and Recross§9:40 Judicial Examination of Witnesses§9:50 Excluding Nonparty Witnesses§9:60 Impeaching Own Witness

II. ObjectionsA. Objections During Direct Examination

§9:70 Leading Questions§9:80 Narrative

B. Objections During Cross-Examination§9:90 Argumentative§9:100 Beyond Scope of Direct Testimony§9:110 Prior Criminal Conviction

C. Objections During Direct or Cross-Examination§9:120 Asked and Answered§9:130 Assuming Facts Not in Evidence§9:140 Unresponsive§9:150 Conclusion or Opinion Sought§9:160 Opinion as to Another’s State of Mind

Chapter 10 Character & Habit§10:10 Character§10:20 Habit

Chapter 11 Science, Opinion & ExpertsI. Principles

A. General Points§11:10 Definition and Distinctions§11:20 Standards Governing Admissibility§11:30 Bases of Expert Opinion§11:40 Weight Accorded Expert Testimony§11:50 Subjects of Expert Testimony

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B. Procedure§11:60 Disclosure Requirements§11:70 Compelling Expert Testimony§11:80 Objecting to Expert Witness Testimony§11:90 Examining Expert Witness at Trial

II. Objections§11:100 Lack of Qualifications§11:110 Lack of Adequate Basis§11:120 Opinion Based on Hearsay§11:130 Ultimate Issue§11:140 Inappropriate Hypothetical Question§11:150 Scientific Testimony§11:160 Identification Evidence

Chapter 12 DocumentsI. Principles

§12:10 Rules and AdmissibilityII. Objections

§12:20 Best Evidence Rule§12:30 Public Documents and Records

Chapter 13 Photographs, Recordings & X-Rays§13:10 Photograph§13:20 Videotape or Motion Picture§13:30 Sound Recording§13:40 X-Ray and Other Medical Diagnostic Imaging Tests

Chapter 14 Real EvidenceI. Principles

§14:10 Definition§14:20 Demonstrative Evidence Distinguished§14:30 Admissibility§14:40 Impact on Jury§14:50 Inspection by Jury§14:60 Use in Opening Statement§14:70 Foundation Requirements

II. Objections§14:80 Chain of Custody§14:90 Exhibition of Person to Show Injury or Body Condition§14:100 Viewing Premises or Scene of Incident

(Rev. 8, 3/12)

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Chapter 15 Demonstrative EvidenceI. Principles

§15:10 Definition and Purpose§15:20 Trial Court Discretion§15:30 Foundation Requirements§15:40 Introducing Demonstrative Evidence§15:50 Proponent’s Considerations§15:60 Opponent’s Considerations§15:70 Use in Opening Statement§15:80 Use in Closing Argument

II. Objections§15:90 Charts, Diagrams, Graphs or Maps§15:100 Models§15:110 Demonstrations, Simulations, Recreations or Experiments

Chapter 16 Parol Evidence§16:10 Parol Evidence

Chapter 17 Discovery MaterialsI. Principles

A. Depositions§17:10 Use Generally§17:20 Use Against Party§17:30 Use of Party’s Deposition§17:40 Use of Deposition of Party’s Representative§17:50 Use of Unavailable Nonparty Witness’ Deposition§17:60 Use of Deposition for Impeachment§17:70 Placing Deposition Testimony in Evidence§17:80 Objections§17:90 Authentication

B. Other Discovery Methods§17:100 Interrogatory Answers§17:110 Document Production§17:120 Requests for Admissions§17:130 Expert Reports

II. ObjectionsA. Depositions

§17:140 Testimony Excluded by Rule of Evidence§17:150 Deposition Taken Over Objection of Inadequate Notice§17:160 Officer Disqualified§17:170 Transcript Not Properly Authenticated§17:180 Testimony Not of Officer, Director or Managing Agent

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§17:190 Witness Is Not Unavailable§17:200 Deposition Not Inconsistent With Trial Testimony and Cannot Be Used to

Impeach§17:210 Witness Not Given Opportunity to Deny or Explain§17:220 Witness’ Memory Not Exhausted

B. Other Discovery Methods§17:230 Interrogatory Answer to Which Timely Objection Made Cannot Be Used at Trial§17:240 Evidence Is Contrary to Admitted Facts§17:250 Medical Examiner’s Testimony Should Be Excluded

Chapter 18 Judicial Notice; Presumptions; Admissions§18:10 Judicial Notice§18:20 Presumptions§18:30 Admissions§18:40 Evidentiary Sanctions§18:50 Stipulations§18:60 Res Judicata and Collateral Estoppel§18:70 Judicial Estoppel

Chapter 19 Attorney ConductI. Principles

§19:10 Rules and SanctionsII. Objections

§19:20 Arguing Objections in Jury’s Presence§19:30 Failure to Comply With Ruling or Order§19:40 Improper Comment§19:50 Presenting Material Not in Evidence§19:60 Concealing or Destroying Evidence§19:70 Improper Representation

Chapter 20 Judicial ConductI. Principles

§20:10 Discretion to Regulate Trial§20:20 Power to Ensure Decorum§20:30 Regulating Court Attire§20:40 Objecting to Judicial Conduct

II. Objections§20:50 Conducting Jury Selection§20:60 Court Comments§20:70 Embarrassing Counsel§20:80 Examining Witness§20:90 Ex Parte Communications

(Rev. 8, 3/12)

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Chapter 21 Closing ArgumentI. Principles

§21:10 Definition and Purpose§21:20 Order of Closing Argument§21:30 Scope§21:40 Procedure for Objecting During Closing§21:50 Recording Closing Argument

II. Objections§21:60 Matters Not in Evidence§21:70 Demonstrative Materials Not in Evidence§21:80 Commenting on Failure to Testify§21:90 Injecting Self or Personal Belief; Vouching for Witness Credibility§21:100 Reading or Arguing Law§21:110 Personal Attacks§21:120 Racial, Political or Religious Comments§21:130 Wealth, Poverty or Self-Interest§21:140 Collateral Sources§21:150 Settlement§21:160 Specific Damage Award§21:170 Unit of Time as Measure of Damages (Per Diem Argument)§21:180 Cumulative Errors

Chapter 22 Submission to Jury§22:10 Jury Instructions§22:20 Jury Questions and Read-Back Requests§22:30 Replacement of a Juror

Table of Cases

Index

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