What does that really mean?
When an attorney objects during trial that means he believes there is something wrong with the question being asked or with his adversary's attempt to introduce a piece of evidence into the trial.
An attorney has a legal obligation to protect his client's rights. If he believes that his client's rights are becoming infringed or stepped upon, then he must let the court know that he objects.
The judge will then have to make an immediate decision about whether he agrees with the objection or disagrees.
What does it mean if an attorney believes that something is privileged?
It means that something is confidential and is never to be disclosed. Here's a good example...
Let's say a witness is testifying and now the defense attorney asks the witness whether he spoke to his attorney before coming into court and testify.
“Mr. Jones, before coming into court today did you speak to your attorney?”
“Yes,” he answers.
“Tell us what the two of you talked about.”
“Objection! Judge, that information is privileged and protected by the attorney-client relationship.”
Conversations between an attorney and client are in fact confidential. In that instance, the judge will likely agree that they are confidential and will tell the attorney asking questions that this is not a proper question, and will also let the witness knows that he is not to answer that question.
Legally, the judge will likely say “objection sustained.”
Watch the video below to learn more about objections...
