Even if you’ve never been to court before, you’ve likely watched a television show or movie where a criminal defense lawyer stood up during trial and shouted “Objection, your honor!” While entertaining in the aforementioned context, it’s important to understand objections, how they work, and under what circumstances attorneys can and do raise objections. 

What do the terms “objection,” “overruled,” and “sustained” mean and how do they affect your criminal case? 

Here’s what you need to know.  

What Is an Objection? 

An objection in a criminal trial is a way of informing the judge that the opposing party’s testimony, inquiry, or evidence, should not be allowed in court. A lawyer can oppose the admission of any type of evidence, provided the objection is founded on the jurisdiction’s standards of evidence.

What Does It Mean If an Objection Is Sustained? 

When one lawyer objects to another lawyer’s line of questioning or evidence, the judge must decide if they agree with the objection or if they will allow the evidence to be admitted or the questioning to continue. Often, the judge will ask the attorney who objected on what grounds they are doing so, however, they may not if the reason for the objection is clear. 

If a judge says “sustained” or “objection sustained,” this means they agree with the attorney who objected. Any line of questioning or introduction of evidence must cease immediately. 

What Does It Mean If an Objection Is Overruled? 

If a judge says that an objection is “overruled,” it means they did not agree with the attorney that objected to the evidence or questioning brought forward by the other party. Usually, a judge will hear a lawyer’s reasoning for objecting before making the decision to overrule it. If an objection is overruled, the judge intends to allow the questioning to continue or evidence to be introduced.

How to Get the Legal Help You Need in Maryland After Being Arrested for a Crime 

There’s much more to navigating a criminal court case successfully than understanding the basics. If you’ve been arrested for a crime, you need experienced legal help as soon as possible. 

Contact Britt Criminal Defense today for a consultation to discuss your case and to think through potential defense strategies given the evidence at hand. 

Call now to book your appointment at 443-944-5705. Serving all of Maryland and the Eastern Shore.