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2.3-1 Ruling on Objections
Revised to January 1, 2008
A trial is governed by rules of evidence. It is my duty to
apply these rules to the testimony and exhibits offered by the parties to
determine if that evidence should be admitted for you to consider. Lawyers have
the right and sometimes the obligation to object to evidence that is offered and
seek a ruling as to the admissibility of that evidence under the rules. You
should not hold it against a lawyer, or the party (he/she) represents, if the
lawyer objects to evidence or moves to strike evidence, regardless of the
judge's ruling. Just because evidence is admitted after an objection, you are
not required to treat that evidence as true, but you should weigh and consider
it in the same way as other evidence. You should not infer from my rulings on
evidence that I favor or disfavor any party or lawyer; the court is neutral and
is merely enforcing the rules of evidence so as to assure a fair trial. Do not
speculate as to what the answer would have been had I not sustained an objection
and do not place any emphasis on a piece of evidence merely because I overruled
an objection to it.
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