Understanding the Term ‘Sustained’ in Court
When you watch legal dramas or attend a court hearing, you might hear the term ‘sustained’ being used frequently. But what does it really mean in the context of a courtroom? In legal terms, when an objection is sustained by a judge, it means that the judge agrees with the objection raised by one of the attorneys and rules in favor of it.
How Does It Work?
During a trial, attorneys may object to evidence or statements made by the opposing party. When an objection is raised, the judge must decide whether to sustain or overrule it. If the objection is sustained, the evidence or statement in question is deemed inadmissible and cannot be used in court.
Examples of ‘Sustained’ Objections
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Hearsay: One common objection that is often sustained is hearsay. Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered as proof of the matter asserted, and it is generally not admissible in court.
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Relevance: Another type of objection that may be sustained is relevance. If evidence is not relevant to the case at hand, the judge may sustain an objection to prevent it from being presented to the jury.
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Leading Questions: When attorneys ask leading questions that suggest a certain answer, the opposing counsel may object. If the objection is sustained, the attorney must rephrase the question.
Case Studies
Let’s look at a couple of case studies where objections were sustained by the judge:
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Case Study 1: In a murder trial, the defense attorney objected to a witness’s statement as hearsay. The judge sustained the objection, and the statement was not allowed as evidence.
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Case Study 2: During a civil trial, the plaintiff’s attorney asked a leading question that the defense objected to. The judge sustained the objection, and the question had to be rephrased.
Statistics on Sustained Objections
According to a study conducted by the American Bar Association, sustained objections are more common in criminal trials than civil trials. Hearsay and relevance objections are the most frequently sustained objections in courtrooms.
Understanding the concept of ‘sustained’ in court can help attorneys navigate the legal process more effectively and ensure a fair trial for all parties involved.
