self-serving :: legal definition
Self-serving - adj. referring to a question asked of a party to a lawsuit or a statement by that person that serves no purpose and provides no evidence, but only argues or reinforces the legal position of that party. Example: Question asked by a lawyer of his own client: "Are you the sort of person who would never do anything dishonest?" Such a question may be objected to as "self-serving" by the opposing lawyer and will be disallowed by the judge, unless there is some evidentiary value. Some people add self-serving comments to their testimony, such as "I never tell lies," which can be stricken from the record as a self-serving declaration.
See also: objection and Related Law Terms ↓
Related Law Terms
compound question :: n. the combination of more than one question into ... rate questions. See also: objectioncontinuing objection :: n. an objection to certain questions or testimony ... ional distress. See also: objection
cross-examination :: n. the opportunity for the attorney (or an unrepre ... examination testimony trial witness
examination :: n. 1) the questioning of a witness by an attorney. ... irect examination testimony witness
hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay
interrogatories :: n. a set of written questions to a party to a laws ... ing. See also: deposition discovery
irrelevant :: adj. not important, pertinent, or germane to the m ... ce immaterial incompetent objection
leading :: 1) v. short for "leading the witness," in which th ... tness leading the witness objection
leading question :: n. a question asked of a witness by an attorney du ... e also: cross-examination objection
lineup :: n. a law enforcement method used in an attempt to ... entification is precarious at best.
marked for identification :: adj. documents or objects presented during a trial ... exhibit lay a foundation objection
Miranda warning :: n. the requirement, also called the Miranda rule, ... me such a suspect? See also: rights
object :: 1) v. to ask the court not to allow a particular q ... he contract..." See also: objection
objection :: n. a lawyer's protest about the legal propriety of ... ng question object overrule sustain
offer of proof :: n. an explanation made by an attorney to a judge d ... rial irrelevant objection testimony
overrule :: v. 1) to reject an attorney's objection to a quest ... : appellate court objection sustain
sustain :: v. in trial practice, for a judge to agree that an ... /she will "overrule" the objection.
voir dire :: (vwahr [with a near-silent "r"] deer) n. from Fren ... t witness jury peremptory challenge
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