General Discussion

DemocratSinceBirth

(102,012 posts) Sat Dec 16, 2017, 03:11 PM Dec 2017

Can defense lawyers quote Trump in their summations when the witnesses were FBI Agents ?

He said the FBI is "really disgraceful." Could a defense lawyer say you can't trust the FBI, even the president of the United States doesn't trust them.

9 replies

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Can defense lawyers quote Trump in their summations when the witnesses were FBI Agents ? (Original Post) DemocratSinceBirth Dec 2017 OP

Of course they can, but should they? marylandblue Dec 2017 #1

"And would it matter if they did ? " DemocratSinceBirth Dec 2017 #2

No doubt the defence will request a change of venue marylandblue Dec 2017 #4

Actually, there would probably be a motion in limine Sanity Claws Dec 2017 #3

If I were the prosecutor I'd call him Donnie Two Scoops at least once. marylandblue Dec 2017 #5

Oddly enough, one of Trumps appointees to be a federal judge MineralMan Dec 2017 #6

Daubert standard underpants Dec 2017 #7

A motion in limine only addresses the admissibility of evidence EffieBlack Dec 2017 #9

No. EffieBlack Dec 2017 #8

marylandblue

(12,344 posts)

1. Of course they can, but should they?

Reply to DemocratSinceBirth (Original post)

Sat Dec 16, 2017, 03:23 PM

Dec 2017

And would it matter if they did?

DemocratSinceBirth

(102,012 posts)

2. "And would it matter if they did ? "

Reply to marylandblue (Reply #1)

Sat Dec 16, 2017, 03:27 PM

Dec 2017

It would matter if there were Deplorables on the jury.

marylandblue

(12,344 posts)

4. No doubt the defence will request a change of venue

Reply to DemocratSinceBirth (Reply #2)

Sat Dec 16, 2017, 03:47 PM

Dec 2017

from DC to Mississippi. By that time, there may not be enough deplorables left even in Alabama.

Sanity Claws

(22,440 posts)

3. Actually, there would probably be a motion in limine

Reply to DemocratSinceBirth (Original post)

Sat Dec 16, 2017, 03:33 PM

Dec 2017

precluding defense attorneys from referring to Trump as President. That title has nothing to do with the merits of the case on money laundering and similar charges.

I remember a trial where plaintiff's counsel moved to preclude a defendant from using the title doctor. The case involved actions outside of the defendant's medical practice.

marylandblue

(12,344 posts)

5. If I were the prosecutor I'd call him Donnie Two Scoops at least once.

Reply to Sanity Claws (Reply #3)

Sat Dec 16, 2017, 03:51 PM

Dec 2017

Because they probably wouldn't get away with it twice.

MineralMan

(151,561 posts)

6. Oddly enough, one of Trumps appointees to be a federal judge

Reply to Sanity Claws (Reply #3)

Sat Dec 16, 2017, 03:55 PM

Dec 2017

could not describe what a motion in limine is. He was asked several questions about legal terms, and could not define any of them. He'll probably still be confirmed, though.

Feh!

underpants

(197,189 posts)

7. Daubert standard

Reply to Sanity Claws (Reply #3)

Sat Dec 16, 2017, 04:25 PM

Dec 2017

I looked that up after the horrific testimony at the Judicial committee by one of Trump's Fed judge nominees.

EffieBlack

(14,249 posts)

9. A motion in limine only addresses the admissibility of evidence

Reply to Sanity Claws (Reply #3)

Sat Dec 16, 2017, 04:42 PM

Dec 2017

An attorney's closing argument is not evidence.

Trump's comments would only come up in a motion in limine if either side tried to introduce them into evidence. But if they weren't introduced into evidence during the trial, the attorneys could not refer to them in closing.

EffieBlack

(14,249 posts)

8. No.

Reply to DemocratSinceBirth (Original post)

Sat Dec 16, 2017, 04:40 PM

Dec 2017

His comments aren't evidence, therefore they cannot be referenced in summation.

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