Line #140 Main/ThatWasObjectionable


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3	[[quoteright:322:[[ComicStrip/BloomCounty https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/that_was_objectionable.png]]]]
4	[[caption-width-right:322: Well, when you put it like that, how can we argue with it? Objection sustained.]]
5
6
7	->'''Fletcher:''' Your Honor, I object!\
8	'''Judge:''' And why is that, Mr. Reede?\
9	'''Fletcher:''' Because it's ''devastating'' to my case!\
10	'''Judge:''' ''[dryly]'' Overruled.\
11	'''Fletcher:''' Good call!
12	-->-- ''Film/LiarLiar''
13
14	When a lawyer goes: ''Your Honor, I Object!'' or ''Objection, Your Honor!'', one would expect them to follow that up with a devastatingly accurate reason, which could either turn the tides of the court, or shut the other side down, hard. But when UnconventionalCourtroomTactics are involved, objections are usually followed by complete non-reasons like: "I object on the grounds that it sucks for me" or "I object for it being [[ShapedLikeItself objectionable]]!"
15
16	Most would expect that such a nonsensical move would get the lawyer doing it a lot of flak, and have the objection overruled, and most of the time that is how it will go down. But one can take this up to eleven by having the objection somehow ''sustained''.
17
18	Objections are used by lawyers in court when they feel the opposing lawyer has asked a witness an improper question that the court should not hear the answer to. In comedies, expect the phrase to be used by someone who isn't a lawyer at all, believing it to be something you say anytime you disagree with someone. Can be a case of IAlwaysWantedToSayThat.
19
20	Intentionally excessive use of this (see Real Life below) can be a type of ChewbaccaDefense. See also DisregardThatStatement. For the ''other'' "I object", see SpeakNowOrForeverHoldYourPeace.
21
22	----
23	!!Examples
24
25	[[foldercontrol]]
26
27	[[folder:Comic Books]]
28	* In the ''ComicBook/PaperinikNewAdventures'' issue ''Fragments of Autumn'', PK's friend Lyla is tried for shooting a fellow officer. At one point, PK, who was excluded from the hall at the moment, objects... Since no one else was doing it. [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome This gets him banned from testifying.]]
29	[[/folder]]
30
31	[[folder:Comic Strips]]
32	* One ''ComicStrip/BloomCounty'' strip had legal assistant Opus damning the torpedoes and going for the gusto in court:
33	-->"''I object!'' I object to that motion! I object to your nose! I object to crummy TV mini-series! I object to the arms race! And I object to chronic hunger in a ''world of plenty!!'' '''I object! I object! I object! I object! BY GOLLY, I OBJECT!'''"
34	* In a ''ComicStrip/PearlsBeforeSwine'' strip where the Crocs, represented by Rat, are suing Zebra, whose lawyer is the Guard Duck. At one point in the deposition, Rat says "I object. I object to you. I object to your face. And your mama's fat." After which, the Guard Duck tells Zebra "this could get contentious."
35	* Elly of ''ComicStrip/ForBetterOrForWorse'' goes to court to contest a traffic ticket. When the plaintiff's lawyer is explaining the situation, Elly ([[AFoolForAClient who is defending herself]]) hastily objects. The judge explains that she needs to stand up and say "Your Honor"; Elly even more passionately shoots to her feet and shrieks, "On my honor, I object!"
36	[[/folder]]
37
38	[[folder:Fan Works]]
39	* ''WebAnimation/TurnaboutStorm'' has [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic Twilight]] objecting during the trial on the grounds of ''"This can't go on!"''. Of course, considering the target of and the circumstances behind the objection, it's anything but PlayedForLaughs.
40	* ''Fanfic/GuardiansOfPokemon'': Being a parody of the already over-the-top ''Franchise/AceAttorney'' series, it was bound to happen eventually in Chapter 148. Mitsumi objects to the entire trial when Blight goes too far over the top trying to frame Gary for some sort of crime.
41	* In the ''Series/StarTrekVoyager''/''Series/DoctorWho'' crossover "[[http://scarfman.iglouhost.com/image01.htm In Thy Image]]" by Paul Gadzikowski (later adapted as [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/iti/index.html a comic]] in the style of Paul's ''Webcomic/TheHeroOfThreeFaces'', the Doctor is representing the Emergency Medical Hologram in a hearing to prove the EMH's personhood. When the Starfleet JAG attorney suggests that the EMH's failure to take a name indicates a recognition that he's ''not'' a person, content to be known only by his function -- a doctor -- his counsel naturally objects.
42	[[/folder]]
43
44	[[folder:Film]]
45	* ''Film/LiarLiar'' has the most honest version:
46	-->'''Fletcher''': Your Honour, I object!\
47	'''Judge:''' And why is that, Mr. Reede?\
48	'''Fletcher:''' Because it's ''devastating'' to my case!\
49	'''Judge:''' ''[dryly]'' Overruled.\
50	'''Fletcher:''' Good call!
51	* This one goes [[OlderThanTelevision way back]], as shown by the Creator/MarxBrothers:
52	** From their movie ''Duck Soup'' (1933):
53	--->'''Prosecutor''': Chicolini, you are charged with high treason, and if found guilty, you will be shot.\
54	'''Chicolini''': I object.\
55	'''Prosecutor''': You object? On what grounds?\
56	'''Chicolini''': I couldn't think of anything else to say.\
57	'''Groucho''': Objection sustained.\
58	'''Prosecutor''': Your honor, you ''sustain'' the objection? On what grounds?\
59	'''Groucho''': Well, I couldn't think of anything else to say either.
60	** Later, in the same scene, Groucho tries to defend Chicolini:
61	--->'''Rufus:''' Look at Chicolini. He sits there alone, an abject figure--\
62	'''Chicolini:''' I abject!
63	** And still another moment:
64	--->'''Rufus:''' I wanted to get a writ of Habeas Corpus but I should have gotten [[{{Pun}} rid of you]] instead.\
65	'''Prosecutor:''' I object!\
66	'''Rufus:''' Even I object.\
67	'''Chicolini:''' Then I object too.
68	** A similar joke was used in their radio show, ''Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel''.
69	* In ''Film/InheritTheWind'', Drummond objects to Brady's title of Colonel, saying that it makes Brady look more important than Drummond and "prejudicing the case in favor of the prosecution." Drummond ends up becoming an honorary Colonel on the spot.
70	* In ''Film/TheExorcismOfEmilyRose'', the attorney for the priest accused of criminal neglect of Emily Rose puts on a "demonology" expert to testify that Emily was possessed. The prosecutor objects. When the judge asks for a reason, he says, "How about silliness, your honor?" Though he could have phrased it better, that's still a reasonable objection.
71	* ''Film/AFewGoodMen''. The prosecution puts on a doctor to give his opinion as to the cause of Willie Santiago's death. Lt. Cmdr. Galloway objects on the basis of his qualifications. When the judge overrules her, she "strenuously objects" and is again overruled. She ends up just making it look like they're afraid of the doctor's testimony.
72	-->'''Lt. Weinberg:''' ''Strenuously'' object? Is that how it's done now? "Objection." "Overruled." "No, I strenuously object." "Well, if you ''strenuously'' object, I guess I'd better reconsider, then."
73	* ''Film/{{Newsies}}:''
74	-->'''Spot Conlon:''' Your Honor, I object!\
75	'''Judge:''' On what grounds?\
76	'''Spot Conlon:''' [[MathematiciansAnswer On the grounds of Brooklyn]], Your Honor.
77	* ''Film/ACivilAction''
78	** Combined with IronicEchoCut. One of the defense attorneys, who is also a law professor, is shown giving a lecture to his students:
79	--->'''Facher''': A plaintiff's case depends on momentum. The fewer objections he gets, the better a case will go. ... Relevance - objection. Hearsay - objection. Best evidence - objection. Authenticity - objection. If you should fall asleep at the counsel table, the first thing out of your mouth should be...
80	** Cut to Facher sleeping during the trial...
81	--->'''Judge''': Do you swear to tell the whole truth, so help you God?\
82	'''Facher''': ''[waking up]'' Objection!
83	** A bit of TruthInTelevision as shown in the real life examples below. Prior to beginning a mock trial, the advisers or teachers sometimes show this movie.
84	* In ''Film/{{Idiocracy}}'', Joe's [[TheDitz lawyer]] tries to object to the judge's clear bias, forgets and objects that "he won't be able to pay ME after he gives back all the money he stole from the hospital!"
85	* Underrated [[Creator/TheCoenBrothers Coen Brothers]] comedy ''Film/IntolerableCruelty'' does this brilliantly; the put-upon opposing lawyer keeps trying to object to Massey's CourtroomAntics with grounds ranging from the ridiculously feeble ("Uh... poetry recital?") to the ludicrously unnecessary ("Objection! ''Strangling the witness!''"). The judge's response is invariably "I'm going to allow it."
86	* ''Film/FatalInstinct'': Spoofed during Lana Ravine's trial.
87	-->'''Prosecuting attorney:''' Your honor, I object! There's no reason for this trial to concern itself with the facts of the case!
88	* ''Film/{{Legal Eagles}}'': "Objection: Defense is ''fondling'' the witness."
89	* ''Film/JudgmentAtNuremberg'' has a PlayedForDrama version of this trope, when the prosecutor brings up the Feldenstein Case, a notorious incident where a Jewish merchant was sentenced to death by a Third Reich KangarooCourt that was presided over by one of the four judges on trial. The defending lawyer, Rolfe, tries objecting, but stumbles over his words while trying to find a reason and can only claim that it's too sensitive a topic to discuss, which naturally holds no water in a trial regarding crimes against humanity. Until this point Rolfe had been skilfully rebutting the prosecution's arguments, so the fact that he's trying to object despite knowing he has no good grounds to do so indicates just how royally screwed his client will be by discussion of the Feldensein Case.
90	[[/folder]]
91
92	[[folder:Jokes]]
93	* As [[http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=58629 said]] on the Website/{{Snopes}} message boards:
94	-->'''Ms Olschner:''' Your honor, I wish to swat Mr. Buck in the head with his client's [deposition transcript].\
95	'''Judge:''' You mean read it?\
96	'''Ms Olschner:''' No, I wish to swat him in the head with it. The [Rules of Procedure] clearly state that a deposition may be used for "[[LoopHoleAbuse any purpose]]" in court, and this is the purpose for which I want to use it.\
97	'''Judge:''' Well, it does say that. (Pause.)\
98	'''Judge:''' There being no objection, you may proceed.\
99	'''Ms Olschner:''' Thank you, your honor. (She swats Mr. Buck in the head with a copy of deposition.)\
100	'''Mr. Buck:''' But Judge...\
101	'''Judge:''' Next witness.\
102	'''Mr. Buck:''' We object!\
103	'''Judge:''' Sustained. Next witness.
104	** The best part of this story is the pause. It's clear the judge was giving Mr. Buck a chance to object, but apparently he just wasn't paying attention.
105	[[/folder]]
106
107	[[folder:Literature]]
108	* ''Creator/DaveBarry Hits Below The Beltway'' includes a few ridiculous objections in a courtroom scene representing one of the trials over the 2000 Presidential election recount in Florida. This is one of them:
109	-->'''Lawyer''': Mr. Glompitt, can you state your name for the court?\
110	'''Witness''': Sure.\
111	'''Lawyer''': Objection, your honor! Hearsay!\
112	'''Lawyer''': How is that hearsay?\
113	'''Lawyer''': I heard him say it!\
114	''[laughter]''\
115	'''Judge''': Sustained.
116	* The illustrated version of ''Literature/TheWeeFreeMen'' includes a transcript of the case "Princess Sandy of Brokenrock vs. Fairy Nettle". When the wicked witch is mentioned, ''her'' lawyer jumps up and says "I object!" on the grounds she isn't actually wicked. The judge responds "Oh good. I was hoping someone would."
117	* In ''[[Literature/RatsBatsAndVats The Rats, The Bats, and the Ugly]]'', there is an oddly phrased but technically valid objection during Chip's [[spoiler:second]] court martial.
118	-->'''Prosecuting Attorney''': You claim that the accused attempted to persuade Ms. Shaw not to accompany you. When he went, had you not gone and had she, if she had wanted to and were able, and if there were no restraints on her to go, would Ms. Shaw not have been brought forcibly, meaning along with the Korozhet that you state was carried, netted to the tractor?\
119	'''Defense Attorney''': Objection! That question should be taken out and shot, Your Honor. It's a traitor to the English language.\
120	'''Judge''': Indeed. Rephrase it please, Captain Tesco.
121	* Subtle example in ''[[Literature/XWingSeries The Krytos Trap]]''. The setting is a military trial, where Tycho Celchu has been charged with the murder of Corran Horn. Commander Ettyk, the prosecutor, is questioning a witness (Iella Wessiri) who had partnered with Horn in the past, and who had also participated in the retaking of Coruscant with Horn. The direct examination concluded more or less as follows:
122	-->'''Ettyk:''' So you had no reason to believe that Corran Horn might be mistaken?\
123	'''Wessiri:''' Actually, there was one thing that bothered me.\
124	'''Ettyk:''' ...Move to strike as nonresponsive,[[note]]According to Wikipedia, a "nonresponsive" objection is made because the witness answered a question that was not asked; this was not the case here.[[/note]] Admiral.\
125	'''Ackbar:''' No, Commander, you asked one more question than you should have, and now you must live with the consequences.
126	* In ''Literature/LittleFuzzy'', the objections start before the trial begins.
127	** Gus Brannhard (Jack Holloway's lawyer) objects to Leonard Kellogg being tried first and Leslie Coombes (Kellogg's lawyer) has the same objection to Holloway being tried first. Chief Justice Pendarvis resolves both objections by ordering the two trials combined, and swearing in each defense lawyer as a special prosecutor against the other's client.
128	** During the testimony of the first witness, Coombes objects to the witness referring to fuzzies as "people," and Brannhard immediately counter-objects to the witness being forced to ''not'' refer to fuzzies as people.
129	** After Kellogg [[spoiler:commits suicide in jail,]] Coombs objection to [[spoiler:"the farce of trying a dead man"]] is shot down by citing ''People of the Colony of Baphomet'' versus ''Jamshar Singh, [[spoiler:Deceased.]]'' It's a RunningGag that one could find a precedent in colonial law for almost anything.
130	[[/folder]]
131
132	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
133	* On ''Series/UnhappilyEverAfter'', Ryan once rattled off three or four of these in a quick montage. The most memorable one was this: "I have contempt for this court!"
134	* ''Series/ThePractice'':
135	** Alan Shore (and later on ''Series/BostonLegal''). A lot. On one occasion, he objected when the court stenographer read out her transcript of him insulting the judge on the basis that her reading "lacked nuance". He's also objected on the grounds that "You can't preface your second point with 'first of all'."
136	** Subverted in an episode of ''Series/ThePractice'', in which Bobby Donnell is so exhausted due to lack of sleep that he can barely stay awake in the courtroom. Opposing counsel says something ridiculous that the judge (and by this point, the audience) would reasonably expect Bobby to loudly object to. The judge looks at Bobby, who is dozing off, waits a beat, and just says "Sustained" anyway.
137	** In another episode, Bobby tries to object to a line of questioning as "work product". The judge incredulously responds "'WORK PRODUCT'?" [[spoiler:It turns out Bobby had hired the witness to sit in court and "look like [he] could have killed" the victim instead of the defendant. While not technically illegal, it certainly alienated the judge, and possibly the jury.]]
138	* Happens with Denny Crane in ''Series/BostonLegal'' season 3 episode 10 "The Nutcracker" after opposing counsel badgers a witness.
139	-->'''Denny Crane''': Objection! She-She's being... objectionable.\
140	'''Judge''': ''[quite seriously]'' Sustained!\
141	''[badgering continues]''\
142	'''Denny Crane''': Objection!\
143	''[some more badgering]''\
144	'''Denny Crane''': ''Your honor''!\
145	'''Judge''': Ms. Ford, that's enough.
146	* An interesting variant in ''Series/PicketFences''. After Wambaugh pulls a completely legal but morally slimy legal maneuver, [[HangingJudge Judge Bone]] orders him jailed for contempt. When he asks why, Bone replies "for being contemptible."
147	* Played with on ''Series/TheCloser''. The lawyer gives two perfectly reasonable objections, then follows it with a silly one for kicks.
148	-->" ...and it ended with a preposition."
149	* In an episode of ''Series/LasVegas'' an AmoralAttorney tries to net a hefty salary by encouraging his client to pursue a FrivolousLawsuit against the Montecito. He objects during a meeting with the casino's bosses and main lawyer ''when he's not even in a courtroom'', which is duly pointed out to him.
150	* In the ''Series/RedDwarf'' episode "[[Recap/RedDwarfSeasonIVJustice Justice]]", Kryten's defence of Rimmer on 1,169 counts of manslaughter is to present him (accurately) as a sad incompetent. Naturally, Rimmer can't bring himself to let this slide, and repeatedly objects to his own defence. After he's found innocent, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8otwr7ArmA he objects again.]]
151	-->'''Kryten''': What are you objecting about now?\
152	'''Rimmer''': I want an apology.
153	* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'':
154	** In the episode "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS2E9TheMeasureOfAMan The Measure of a Man]]" Picard defends Data in a courtroom process, objecting to a plan that would see him labelled as Starfleet "property" and dismantled. The prosecution, for their case against Data, requests to [[ArtificialLimbs remove the defendant's hand]]. Picard is immediately on his feet with his objections before realizing that he can't actually object in a legal manner- in [[AFatherToHisMen typical Picard style]], he just doesn't like the idea of them removing his second officer's body parts- and withdraws his objection.
155	** In the episode "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS4E13DevilsDue Devil's Due]]", Picard argues a court case against a woman claiming to be Ardra, a supernatural being in Velexian myth, with Data arbitrating. Ardra objects when Picard leads a witness, while Data himself objects to Ardra's CourtroomAntics in displaying her "powers" ("The advocate will refrain from making her opponent disappear"). When the ''Enterprise'' crew gets hold of her technology and Picard starts displaying the same powers, Ardra objects again, but Data decides he's allowed some leeway in the circumstances. Once Picard has successfully duplicated the tricks Ardra used earlier, and ''only'' those tricks, Data promptly declares that Picard's leeway has run out.
156	* In the ''Series/TheAddamsFamily'' episode "[[Recap/TheAddamsFamilyS1E21TheAddamsFamilyInCourt The Addams Family in Court]]", where Gomez is participating in a trial with the family observing, the entire family drives the judge nuts, including Uncle Fester who says "I Object!" just so he can participate in the trial, despite the fact that he is in the audience and thus obviously not supposed to interfere.
157	* ''Series/{{Bones}}''
158	** When Brennan[[spoiler:'s father was on trial for murder.]]
159	--->'''Caroline:''' Objection, your honor!\
160	'''Judge:''' On what grounds?\
161	'''Caroline:'''...I'm thinking...
162	** In the same episode, although she didn't actually object, Angela took the fifth to prevent herself from having to incriminate someone ''else''. She was told that the Fifth Amendment only protected her from incriminating ''herself''. She wound up taking the First, which protects freedom of assembly, including friendship, and is four better than the Fifth! The judge was not impressed.
163	** Also:
164	--->'''Caroline:''' Objection! It is just ''rude'' to accuse me of murder.
165	* Parodied in ''Series/{{Extras}}'' in the Creator/OrlandoBloom episode, which opens as usual with a scene from the movie-within-a-show that's being filmed, which appears to be a courtroom-drama-romantic-comedy-of-manners. Bloom, the prosecuting attorney: "It seems very odd that you would send your wife flowers and not include a card. Whenever I send my wife flowers, I always write a card." Up pops the defense attorney: "Objection! When did you ever send me flowers?" This escalates into an argument, which the judge resolves by declaring, "I order you two to kiss and make up!"
166	* ''Series/GilligansIsland'': In "[[Recap/GilligansIslandS1E17PlantYouNowDigYouLater Plant You Now, Dig You Later]]", during a mock-courtroom scene, the Skipper and Mr. Howell (acting as lawyers) object several times. In one case, Mr. Howell can't actually think of a reason for the objection. Then the following exchange occurs:
167	-->'''Mr Howell:''' I would like to press charges against Mary Anne.\
168	'''Professor:''' For what?\
169	'''Mr Howell:''' Murder. Her testimony is killing me.
170	* On ''Series/TheGoodWife'', Alicia Florick is up against her former boss Stern. Stern is in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease, something he's only told Alicia and she can't tell anyone else because he told her at a previous time when he was her client. She gets around this by repeatedly raising frivolous objections during one of Stern's cross-examinations, causing him to become confused and forget what he was going to ask next.
171	* Played with in one episode of ''Series/LawAndOrder'' when a defense attorney tries to suppress an alleged search of her clients' home on the grounds that the police didn't have a warrant for said search...except when she serves this motion to the prosecution, they have no idea what she's talking about and didn't even know the evidence she's referring to ''existed''. As far as the defense attorney is aware, her motion ''is'' valid, but the prosecution correctly points out that the court can't exclude evidence the prosecution isn't in possession of.
172	* An accidental one in ''Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'', Novak objects that the lawyer is leading the witness on cross-examination. This is allowable and expected. Parties aren't allowed to lead on ''direct'' examination (unless they specifically get permission to do so -- this is what "permission to treat the witness as hostile" refers to), but it is permissible during ''cross''-examination specifically because of the difference in dynamic; the direct examination is trying to get the witness to tell their story, and therefore the questions need to be open-ended to ensure that the story is coming from the witness and not the attorney, but the cross-examining attorney is trying to ''impeach'' the witness' story and may need to ask specific questions in order to do so.
173	** Barba gets a variation when a lawyer asks Olivia if her time as an SVU detective has led her to think all men are rapists.
174	---> '''Barba''': Objection! Argumentative... and ridiculous.[[note]]The "argumentative" part is a valid objection, "ridiculous" is not.[[/note]]
175	** One early incident had Detective Munch testifying against a doctor who sexually assaulted a patient under the guise of treating her for hysteria. The defenses objections resulted in Munch, unprompted by the prosecutor, giving a history of hysteria and its treatments, culminating in explaining why the vibrator was invented; that got a simultaneous objection from the prosecution and the defense.[[note]]Presumably the objection is that it's beyond the scope of the questioning and/or that Munch's expertise hasn't been established to the standard required for court testimony -- both of which would in fact be legally valid objections -- but the judge sustains it without even requiring either party to state specific grounds.[[/note]]
176	* ''Series/{{JAG}}'':
177	** Deconstructed in the second season episode "Rendezvous", when incriminating evidence is presented and the defendant asks defense counsel to object.
178	--->'''Chief Petty Officer Holst''': Do something!\
179	'''Major Mackenzie''': What?\
180	'''Chief Petty Officer Holst''': Object!\
181	'''Major Mackenzie''': On what grounds? I'm not a magician, chief. I can't make a murder go away.
182	** Inverted for laughs in another episode, when Bud is so tired and overworked that he ends up nodding off in the middle of a case. Mack, who's the presiding judge, has to wake him up to ask him if he wants to object to something the prosecutor said.
183	* In the ''Series/{{Porridge}}'' episode "Rough Justice", Stephen Rawley (a judge convicted of corruption) finds his watch has gone missing, and Fletcher decides Harris stole it, and arranges a trial with himself prosecuting, Warren defending and Rawley (against his better judgement) on the bench. It starts well:
184	-->'''Rawley''': How do you plead?\
185	'''Harris''': Not guilty!\
186	'''Fletch''': Oh, a liar as well as a thief!\
187	'''Warren''': I object!\
188	'''Rawley''': What is your objection?\
189	'''Warren''' ...I dunno.\
190	'''Harris''': You was objecting to the fact that I was called a liar and a thief!\
191	'''Warren''': No I wasn't, we all ''know'' you're a liar and a thief.
192	* Inverted on ''Series/{{MASH}}'', when Hawkeye allows a military lawyer to scrub up and observe them in the operating room.
193	-->'''Margaret''': This is highly irregular. I must object!\
194	'''Hawkeye''': Objection overruled.
195	* In the final episode of ''Series/TheITCrowd'' a central piece of evidence in Victoria's case is a sex tape made by Douglas Reynholm. After Victoria's lawyer decides that that enough of the tape has been shown and switches it off, Douglas objects with:
196	-->'''Douglas''': Your Honor, I object. There's a brilliant bit coming up.
197	* ''Series/{{Community}}'': PlayedForLaughs during "[[Recap/CommunityS3E17BasicLupineUrology Basic Lupine Urology]]," with [[SeriousBusiness the case of the murdered yam]].
198	-->'''"Defense Attorney" Archwood:''' Objection, she's clearly ramping up to something.\
199	'''Jeff:''' Objection, that's not a real objection.\
200	'''"Judge" Kane:''' Objection, I hate both of you.
201	* ''Series/FamilyMatters'' has Steve Urkel accused of blowing up the science lab. Knowing he is innocent, Laura defends him in a trial held before the AbsurdlyPowerfulStudentCouncil. Carl is called upon by the prosecution to describe the many, many, many disasters Steve has caused at their house. On cross-examination, Laura establishes that Steve has always taken responsibility for his mistakes, and asks Carl why Steve isn't claiming this one.
202	-->'''Carl:''' Oh, well, it's simple. He didn't do it.
203	-->'''Dexter as Prosecution:''' Objection: Calls for a conclusion.... and makes me look bad.
204	-->'''Shumata as Judge:''' Sustained. And it's your suit that makes you look bad.
205	* ''Series/{{Psych}}'' uses this one in “Cloudy With a Chance of Murder.”
206	-->'''Shawn Spencer:''' Judge, I argue that this tape should not be admissible.
207	-->'''Judge Horace Leland:''' On what grounds?
208	-->'''Shawn Spencer:''' Well, we're citing...unfair surprisery.
209	* ''Series/GoodOmens2019'': In a KangarooCourt scene in {{Hell}}, the prosecuting demon objects to the defendant's request to speak in his own defense, arguing that the charges are obviously indefensible. Hell being Hell, the objection is upheld.
210	* ''Series/WillAndGrace'': Grace attempts to sue a client who refuses to pay her over disagreements with her interior design choices. She ends up [[AFoolForAClient representing herself]] in arbitration after the client (who's partner at a major law firm) hires Will and orders him to handle the case.
211	-->'''Will:''' [[AffectionateNickname Gracie]], there is no--\
212	'''Grace:''' OBJECTION! The familiar cutening of my name implies we like each other.\
213	'''Judge:''' Ms. Adler, though it's clear you know a lot of legal terms, you've yet to use a single one of them properly.
214	* A client does this on ''Series/JudgeRinder'':
215	-->'''Rinder:''' Excuse me? Do you think you're in LA Law? You're objecting to what exactly?
216	-->'''Client:''' Nathan is lying.
217	* ''Series/TheFallOfTheHouseOfUsher2023'': During Roderick's testimonial against Fortunato, the opposing lawyer consistently voices objections after every single question, not even following up with any sort of grounds on ''what'' objection they're attempting to cite.
218	[[/folder]]
219
220	[[folder:Radio]]
221	* In one of Denis Norden's humorous monologues on ''Radio/MyWord'', he described how he was in court for allegedly assaulting his ballroom dancing partner. At one point, the prosecutor dances with her in order to demonstrate how the ordeal has ruined her ability. Norden instantly jumps up.
222	-->'''Norden''': Your honour, I object!\
223	'''Judge''': On what grounds?\
224	'''Norden''': On the grounds that the counsel is ''[[{{Pun}} leading]]'' the witness.
225	[[/folder]]
226
227	[[folder:Theatre]]
228	* ''Theatre/{{Chicago}}'':
229	-->'''Billy Flynn:''' Objection!\
230	'''Judge:''' Sustained.\
231	'''Prosecutor:''' Your Honor, I haven't even asked a question yet!
232	[[/folder]]
233
234	[[folder:''Ace Attorney'']]
235	* The TropeNamer is [[VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorney the first game]], where at one point in the second case, a hole gets shot in [[TheRival Miles Edgeworth's]] case, and he reacts with, "'''''Objection!''''' I object! That was... objectionable!"
236	* During the third case, as Wendy Oldbag [[MotorMouth rattles on about her life]], Edgeworth eventually cuts her off with "'''''Objection!''''' O-objection! I... object to the witness's talkativeness." [[SubvertedTrope The judge sustains]]. [[TruthInTelevision That is actually a valid objection]]: an attorney can object to a narrative response if it goes beyond what was asked.[[note]]He also could have objected with "nothing pending", "irrelevant", and "non-responsive"; "non-responsive" in the context of a trial can mean that the witness gave an answer to a question that was not asked, which naturally extends to "will not shut up."[[/note]] As the player learns well in the next case, in fact, because the prosecutor for that one uses that kind of objection very heavily.
237	* Edgeworth's "'''''Objection!''''' I was hoping to come up with a question while I was objecting, Your Honor...", also in the third case; he immediately objects again, stalls for a moment with the memorable phrase "Indeed! Verily, I say!... Ergo!", and then [[SubvertedTrope comes up with a valid reason to continue the witness testimony]].
238	* Phoenix uses this a bit earlier to stall in an optional dialogue tree. The judge sympathizes.
239	* Franziska does this in ''[[VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneyJusticeForAll Justice For All]]''. "'''''Objection!''''' I... I... I object... For objection's sake..." Hilariously, this is actually a case of RealityIsUnrealistic -- she'd already objected, so while the outburst itself wasn't necessary, it would technically be a continuing objection.
240	* In ''[[VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneyTrialsAndTribulations Trials and Tribulations]]'' Godot objects, just before throwing a cup of coffee over Phoenix's face.
241	* During [[spoiler:3-5's segment where you play as him]], one of Edgeworth's [[spoiler:default "losing"]] objections is a hilarious ChewbaccaDefense.
242	* During the same trial [[spoiler:should the player press the very first statement of Larry's testimony]] Edgeworth gives out a [[spoiler:HOLD IT!]] and just stalls in silence. Qualifies as he didn't even give a plausible reason in the end, other than that it was just too full of contradictions for him to bear. [[note]]The contradictions were still exposed for him, nonetheless... by the witness himself. Three of them, at the very least.[[/note]]
243	-->'''Edgeworth:''' This one single statement is so full of contradictions... For a moment there, I thought I was going to collapse.
244	* In VisualNovel/{{Apollo Justice\|Ace Attorney}}'s first trial, when the prosecution states that the victim was the winner of the poker game:
245	-->'''Apollo:''' '''''Objection!''''' That's ridiculous! Um, because... Because Mr. Wright can't lose!\
246	'''Kristoph:''' Ahem. Justice? Maybe you can come up with a more legitimate objection?
247	* Again, in Apollo's first trial when Apollo's shout of "objection" is so loud and purposefully drawn out that it ''has to be spelled out in the normal text'' rather than getting a objection bubble. The Judge tells him off for shouting his objection so loudly, then Apollo comes up with a legitimate reason for his objection.
248	* ''Apollo Justice'' also gave us:
249	-->'''Apollo''': '''''Objection!''''' Th...that's just dumb! [[note]]This was a fairly accurate assessment of the prosecution's suggestion, but it could have been phrased better. Depending on the judge, it could sail through in real life.[[/note]]
250	* ''VisualNovel/AceAttorneyInvestigations'' gives us this gem in the final case, when [[spoiler:Larry and Oldbag burst into the lobby]]:
251	-->'''Edgeworth''': '''''Objection!''''' Go away!
252	* In the spin-off crossover ''VideoGame/ProfessorLaytonVsPhoenixWrightAceAttorney'' in the final case when [[spoiler:the Storyteller]] lays out the whole convoluted plot, pressing the first statement has Phoenix say "HOLD IT!" followed by a bewildered yell, being unable to wrap his head around it.
253	** One of the Special Episodes features Edgeworth solving a puzzle. His victory one-liner is a CallBack to his trope-naming original quote.
254	--->'''Edgeworth:''' I object... to ''objectionable'' puzzles!
255	* In ''[[VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneyDualDestinies Dual Destinies]]'', with Phoenix during the first case.
256	-->'''Phoenix:''' '''''Objection!''''' I object to the witness's attempt to prematurely give me grey hairs!
257	* At one point in ''Dual Destinies'', Simon Blackquill objects simply because of a name a witness called him.
258	--> '''Robin:''' How can you say that! I'm no accessory to any crime, Mr. Birdman!\
259	'''Blackquill:''' '''''Objection!''''' B-Birdman...?!
260	** Then he strikes again in the DLC case, when a witness starts insulting birds. Of course with Blackquill being such a bird-nut, he's not too happy about this and objects to it.
261	** Athena Cykes in case 5-3 after Prosecutor Blackquill [[spoiler:claims Robin to be an accessory to the murder while still making Juniper the prime suspect...]]
262	--->'''Athena:''' '''''Objection!''''' ...Argh!
263	* In ''Dual Destinies'', when the witness makes a pass on Athena, and the Judge tells her that they're in a courtroom, "not a pick-up spot".
264	-->'''Athena:''' '''''Objection! Objection! Objection! I object!'''''
265	* And case 5 of ''[[VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneySpiritOfJustice Spirit of Justice]]'' gives us this:
266	-->'''[[spoiler:Phoenix]]:''' '''''Objection!''''' ''(Pitifully)'' Apollo, please don't accuse my client of murder...
267	[[/folder]]
268
269	[[folder:Other Video Games]]
270	* In ''VideoGame/TalesOfMonkeyIsland'', Guybrush has the option of doing this while on trial; it's one of many ways to anger the judge (necessary to solve a puzzle).
271	--> '''Guybrush:''' I object!
272	--> '''Judge:''' To what?!
273	--> '''Guybrush:''' To this trial! To your hat! To the way my beard’s itching! I also object to the way that guy’s looking at me! And to this [[HookHand hook]]! And-
274	--> '''Judge:''' '''''CAPTAIN THREEPWOOD, YOU WILL CEASE YOUR FOOLISH DISTRACTIONS BEFORE WE COME DOWN AND CEASE THEM FOR YOU! ARRRRR!!!''''' Whubbawhubbawhubba! Right! Where were we?
275	[[/folder]]
276
277	[[folder:Webcomics]]
278	* Two different cases in ''Webcomic/GeneralProtectionFault''.
279	** Case 1, Fooker's trial in the Ubersoft crossover.
280	--->'''Fooker''': ...I object!\
281	'''Judge''': I told you before, you can't object to your own testimony.
282	** Case 2, Man vs. Mold. Upon being told that her plaintiff (Trent) had been convicted for attempted murder before:
283	--->'''[[AmoralAttorney Mercedes]]''': I object! ...the plaintiff did not share this information with me!\
284	'''Judge''': I'm afraid that isn't acceptable grounds for an objection. Overruled. Now take your seat, counsel. Another outburst like that and I'll hold you in contempt.\
285	'''Mercedes''': Then I object on the grounds that the plaintiff is a complete idiot.\
286	'''Judge''': As much as I agree, that isn't sufficient grounds either. Overruled.
287	* From ''Webcomic/LookingForGroup'':
288	-->'''Richard''': Objection!\
289	'''Judge''': On what grounds?\
290	'''Richard''': I wish to stab him [the prosecutor].
291	* There was a ''[[Webcomic/CtrlAltDel Ctrl-Alt-Del]]'' comic about ''VideoGame/MetalGearAcid'' where a guard, after facing a card which allows him to be shot, says "I object on the ground that it sucks for me".
292	* ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'': During the court room portion of the HTRN Takedown arc, Captain Tagon is forced to defend himself in Petey's court, since Petey doesn't allow lawyers.
293	-->'''Detective Fitzsimmons:''' Okay... Umm... The prosecution will endeavor to show that the defendants willfully and, um... knowingly conspired to destroy the place of business of the Hypernet Televised Reality Network.\
294	'''Captain Tagon:''' Hey, wait! That's not fair. He talks just like a lawyer, and you said we weren't supposed to use lawyers.\
295	'''Petey:''' ''[DisapprovingLook]''\
296	'''Captain Tagon:''' Err... I mean, "Objection, Your Honor."
297	* And then there was ''Webcomic/AnsemRetort''.
298	-->'''[[Franchise/AceAttorney Phoenix Wright]]:''' OBJECTION!\
299	'''[[HeroicComedicSociopath Axel]]:''' GO FUCK YOURSELF!\
300	'''Judge:''' Objection overruled; "go fuck yourself" sustained.
301	* Played up in one ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'' strip.
302	-->'''Tycho:''' How many [Nintendo] Switches do you own?\
303	'''Gabe:''' One.\
304	'''Tycho:''' Okay. But how many Switches are in your ''house?''\
305	'''Gabe:''' OBJECTION, YOU HONOR! IRRELEVANT!\
306	'''Tycho:''' There is no judge here. No judge but '''GOD'''.\
307	'''Gabe:''' ...Then four.
308	* In a ''Webcomic/HeroOfThreeFaces'' storyline
309	[[/folder]]
310
311	[[folder:Web Video]]
312	* In ''WebVideo/TheTrialOfTimHeidecker'', Tim [[AFoolForAClient represents himself]] and frequently launches spurious objections, of which all but one end up being overruled by an (increasingly aggravated) Judge Szymczyk.
313	* Played with in the WebVideo/{{Yourchonny}} sketch "Judge Chonny", where the Plaintiff, Defendant, and judge all use this phrase.
314	--> '''Defendant:''' I object!\
315	'''Plaintiff:''' Yeah, I also object!\
316	'''Judge:''' You want to object? [brandishes gavel] Here's a fucking object!
317	* ''WebVideo/LegalEagle'' has explained that such a tactic, that is objecting when you ''know'' will be overruled, is actually a valid tactic in court battles. For one, even if the objection is overruled it still goes on record that you objected, and if you don't it can hurt your attempt at an appeal because they are likely to question why you ''didn't'' object during the court case. Another is that is simply breaks up the flow of opposing counsel, which can prevent them from getting into a good tangent or speech and make them lose their train of thought. Of course, he is quick to point out that being too trigger-happy with objections is annoying and can turn the jury and judge against you which, naturally, is utterly devastating to you.
318	[[/folder]]
319
320	[[folder:Western Animation]]
321	* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Duckman}}'', Bernice is testifying as to Duckman's character.
322	-->'''Cornfed''': Objection!\
323	'''King Chicken''': On what grounds?\
324	'''Cornfed''': The need to distract the jury from hearing the truth.
325	* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'': Timmy Turner didn't have better grounds than the case above when he had to convince the Fairy Council he's not the worst godchild ever. He objected on the grounds he was losing. Later on, when the case was turned on his favor and the Fairy Council was about to acquit him, the Prosecutor objected and, when asked for grounds, he started searching through his papers until he found [[TitleDrop Timmy's Secret Wish]].
326	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
327	-->'''Juror''': We, the jury, find the defender guilty.\
328	'''Lionel Hutz''': Your honour, I'd like that last remark stricken from the record.\
329	'''Judge''': Denied.
330	** Another episode has Hutz get so fed up of hearing the words "objection" followed by "sustained" that he announces if he hears it one more time he'll scream. [[TemptingFate Sure enough]]...
331	--->'''Blue-haired Lawyer:''' Objection.\
332	'''Judge Snyder:''' Sustained.\
333	'''Hutz:''' ''(screams)''
334	* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheMagicSchoolBus'' [[ItMakesSenseInContext when Ms. Frizzle takes the class on one of her field trips while on trial for stealing Keisha's cucumber]], Arnold objects to "being the smallest defense attorney in history."
335	* After Hank accidentally saws off Dale's index finger (it gets reattached) in ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'', Dale has a judge impose a restraining order. While Hank gives his account and his history with Dale:
336	--> '''Dale:''' Objection: Conjecture. ''Objecture!''
337	--> '''Hank:''' THAT IS NOT A WORD!!
338	* Done by the Genie in ''WesternAnimation/AladdinAndTheKingOfThieves'' during Aladdin's trial.
339	-->'''Genie:''' I object, Your Honour. I object to that outrageous statement, [[BreakingTheFourthWall and I object to a tertiary character having any lines during my courtroom scene]].
340	* ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'':
341	-->'''Knuckles:''' Objection, your majesty. We're losing!
342	-->'''Judgebot:''' Overruled! But yes, yes you are. Badly.
343	* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', Tonraq and other South Tribe men are being put on trial for possible rebel activity. When they are found guilty, Bolin interrupts the judge's sentencing with an "Objection!", only to shrink back in his seat when the judge barks at him to sit down.
344	* In an early ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' episode, Green Lantern is being framed for the destruction of a planet and is being put on trial. When GL gets found guilty and the judge starts to sentence him, the Flash tries to interrupt with an "Objection!", which is denied.
345	* ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBros'': in "Trial of the Monarch", Dr. Venture raises an objection ''from the gallery'' about the lewd content of the Monarch's testimony .
346	-->'''The Monarch:''' You know that sick, deformed slob... you know he was pounding his invisible meat-\
347	'''Dr. Venture:''' That's it, ''OBJECTION!'' Your Honor, I have children listening to this potty talk!\
348	'''Judge:''' Sustained. I want that last bit stricken from the record... [[BrainBleach and my mind.]]
349	* In the non-canon ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'' episode "And Justice For All", Goliath's public defender Amy is trying to stall for time for Goliath to bring back decisive evidence proving his innocence to the judge. When she's about to pass judgment on him for having escaped from custody, Amy can only weakly object to the use of the word "escaped".
350	[[/folder]]
351
352	[[folder:Real Life]]
353	* As Website/TheOtherWiki tells us, there are [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_objections_%28law%29 many grounds]] for objection in US criminal and civil proceedings.
354	** It should also be noted that while there are many reasons for objection, the objection itself should be short. For example, "Objection, relevance" or "objection, leading". Unlike TV, you do have to specify what you are objecting to AND you cannot turn it into your own speech. Lengthy speaking objections are a great way to piss off a judge, especially if used solely to break someone's flow or coach clients or witnesses on how to answer a question in a deposition, and anyone who uses them is guaranteed to get sanctioned at some point.
355	* And note the above says ''US'' proceedings. In English/Welsh courts, for example, lawyers simply do not exclaim "Objection!" and judges do not respond "Sustained!" or "Denied!". (If a barrister objects to something the opposition say, he'll bounce to his feet pretty smartly and say something like "My Lord, I must object to this line of questioning, my learned friend is leading the witness!" or whatever the objection is. The judge will give his views, which might be "Yes, Mr X, change your line of questioning".) However, because of EaglelandOsmosis some people (especially those defending themselves in court) will ''attempt to use this because they've heard it on TV''. They can expect a fairly swift verbal smackdown from the judge if so.
356	* Los Angeles defense attorney Irving Kanarek, whose most famous client was UsefulNotes/CharlesManson, was infamous for [[ChewbaccaDefense dragging cases out with long speeches and continuous objections]]. He once objected when a witness on the stand was asked to identify himself; when asked the grounds, Kanarek stated that since [[InsaneTrollLogic the witness had first heard his name from his parents, asking him to give his name was hearsay]].
357	** In the Manson trial, Kanarek's closing statement (for ''one'' defendant out of ''four'') consumed seven court days of time. The jury actually sent a note to the bailiff asking for [=NoDoz=] for themselves and sleeping pills for Kanarek.
358	** Also in the Manson trial, prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi actually had objections sustained to questions for being "ridiculous", "nonsensical", or repeated "ad nauseam". (These objections might more properly be phrased as questions being "prejudicial" or "asked and answered," but the spirit is reasonable). Depending on which book you consult, there are over 150 objections, and of the two dozen that are most used, several are very similar. It's up to the lawyer to know how to phrase his objections to the presiding judge, and given the outlandish behavior in question, Bugliosi was probably moved to the judge's good side for stating the obvious.
359	* Common in Mock Trial competitions, where people will often object [[ChewbaccaDefense simply to break the flow of someone's questioning]]. Or where they're sure that there is an objection to be made, but can't quite remember which one it is until too late.
360	* In April 2022, Creator/AmberHeard's lawyer made the most memetic objection since ''Film/LiarLiar'' while questioning a witness in Creator/JohnnyDepp's libel lawsuit against her:
361	-->'''Lawyer:''' Objection, hearsay!
362	-->'''Judge:''' You asked the question...
363	[[/folder]]

Context Main / ThatWasObjectionable