"in limine" (Latin)

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What does the Latin term in limine mean?

"In limine" is a Latin term commonly used in legal proceedings. It translates to "at the threshold" or "on the threshold" and refers to a motion or argument made by one party to exclude certain evidence or arguments before or at the beginning of a trial or hearing. The purpose of an "in limine" motion is to address legal issues or objections that, if allowed to be presented to the jury or court, may unduly prejudice or influence the outcome of the case. By seeking to exclude such evidence or arguments in advance, the party aims to shape the scope and parameters of the trial.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three example sentences demonstrating the usage of "in limine":

• The defense attorney filed a motion in limine to exclude the witness's prior criminal record from being mentioned during the trial.
• The prosecution made an in limine argument to prevent the defense from introducing irrelevant and inflammatory evidence.
• Before the trial began, the judge ruled on several in limine motions to determine the admissibility of expert testimony.

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