Learn what does sustained mean in court, how it is used within the context of court procedure, and why judges would sustain objections at all during trials.
Or perhaps, while the drama was unfolding in a courtroom drama series, you sat totally engrossed and listened to the tense back-and-forth between lawyers, then suddenly, out of nowhere, the judge let out one word: “Sustained.” If you are like most people, you probably wondered, What does sustained mean in court?
Don’t sweat it-you are not alone. Legal terminology often sounds as if it belongs to a different language altogether. But today, we are going to break it down in easily understandable bits, with a conversational tone to give you the feeling that we sit across from each other over coffee, chatting about courtroom dramas.
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My Journey to Understanding Legal Jargon
Before giving any explanations pertaining to the word “sustained” in a court of law, let me tell you a little about my personal intake. Most of you have learned about legal terminology from television shows, and I was no different. Watching Law & Order and Suits while growing up would get me on the edge of the couch every time a lawyer blurted out, “Objection!..”
The judge would then say, “sustained” or “overruled,” and quite frankly, I had no idea what either meant.
It wasn’t until a few years ago when I had to go to court for a traffic violation-nothing huge, I swear!-that it really dawned on me that I should at least know approximately how things worked. I remember just sitting there and hearing the different “sustained” and “overruled” enough times, thinking, I really need to figure this out. So, with a little digging, here I am to share what I learned so that you won’t be in utter wonder like I was.
What Does Sustained Mean in Court?
Let’s get down to the basics. The term “sustained” always seems to follow after an attorney has raised an objection in court. What does sustain mean in court?
Put another way, if the judge says “sustained” to an objection, that means the judge is agreeing with the objecting attorney. The objection is proper, and the other attorney must stop – whether he is asking a question of a witness or trying to admit evidence – or rephrase what he is trying to do.
It’s like when you’re having an argument with your friend, and one says, “That’s not fair!” So the referee may say, “Yeah, that’s right. Strike it off. That is what the court is stating when he says, “sustained”.
Definition Recap:
Sustained means that the judge finds the objection valid and the action must be stopped immediately.
But What Does Sustained in Court Mean for the Case?
With the basic definition out of the way, let’s talk a little bit about why all of this matters in the grand scheme of things. Objections that occur in the courtroom are very often about preserving fairness. Each attorney is attempting to ensure the other side does not introduce evidence or pose some type of question that is irrelevant, prejudicial, or improper.
If the judge sustains an objection, he usually does so because such a line of questioning or evidence is about to violate the rules of the court. It keeps things on track and ensures fairness and jackpot in the trial.
Let’s look at a small example:
Now, suppose you are in a courtroom, and the prosecuting attorney is cross-examining the defendant. The prosecutor asks something to this effect: “Is it not true that you were dismissed from your last position of employment?” From time to time, the defense attorney will raise an objection on the basis that such a question has nothing to do with the crime. If the judge responds with “sustained,” that means the court agrees that the question is irrelevant, and the prosecutor must ask another question.
That’s important so the jury isn’t swayed by information that isn’t necessary or even damaging. If every little irrelevant detail were allowed to come out during a trial, things could quickly spiral out of control.
What Does Sustain Mean in a Court of Law?
Now, to delve a little deeper, let’s consider what sustain means in the court of law from the point of view of the law. Originally taken from Latin, the term “sustain” denotes to maintain or support. So, when a judge sustains an objection, he is upholding that objection, essentially saying, “Yes, I support that point.
These may apply in a court of law under a heading of various objections to:
All of these things, along with objections, serve to keep the trial fair and focused on the facts that matter. When a judge sustains an objection, they are helping to keep that fair.
The Difference Between “Sustained” and “Overruled”
You’ve probably also heard the word “overruled” used in a courtroom, so what’s the difference between “sustained” and “overruled”?
Simply put:
It’s a little like a referee in a game, you know? “Sustained” means, “Yes, that’s a foul, stop what you’re doing,” whereas “overruled” is like, “No, keep playing, no foul here.
Why Does This Matter? A Personal Anecdote
I will never forget the first time I sat in the courtroom, and someone said, “Sustained.” I was there for a minor ticket, traffic, whatever, and someone else’s case was being heard before mine. The lawyer raised an objection, and the judge said, “Sustained.” I had no idea what was happening, but I could tell the lawyer had to stop mid-sentence.
It was weird because I didn’t understand why the judge was allowing, almost, the stopping of the tracks for the lawyer. But what became clear with more and more instruction about court procedures was that the judge was making sure the test of the trial stayed on course and didn’t go into areas that were not relevant or unfair.
Having never been one for drama that’s not on television, I developed a new appreciation for how judges maintain order in a courtroom.
Common Scenarios Where You Would Hear “Sustained” in Court
With a view to explaining what sustained actually means in the court of law, let’s take a look at some of the common scenarios one hears during a trial. This will help bring these examples to life:
1. Objection: Relevance
2. Hearsay Objection
3. Objection: Leading the Witness
Why You Should Understand Legal Terms
Even if one is not a lawyer or involved in the case in some other manner, it pays to know general legal jargon, such as “sustained.” Being informed about what goes on- whether one is in the courtroom while their case is being tried or listening to the news or a dramatization of the courtroom, means also being included.
Besides, knowing the difference between “sustained” and “overruled” can make watching Law & Order way more fun! You will be able to follow the complex legal maneuvers and understand why the judge makes certain decisions.
FAQs
1. What does it mean when a judge says “sustained” in court?
If the judge responds to an objection with “sustained,” he or she is indicating agreement with the objection of one of the attorneys. Typically this would be the ruling that the question, evidence, or line of argument being contested is improper under the rules of evidence or procedure; thus, the lawyer who was presenting the argument or asking the question must cease doing so, and the jury should disregard the contested material.
2. What is the difference between “sustained” and “overruled” in court?
“Sustained” and “overruled” are direct antonyms with regard to objections in a courtroom. If an objection is sustained, the judge agrees with the attorney making the objection; the other attorney must cease or rephrase the question or argument. On the other hand, if an objection is overruled, the judge does not agree with the objection, and the opposing attorney may continue the line of questioning or may present the evidence.
3. On what grounds would a judge commonly sustain an objection while in court?
A judge may sustain an objection for one of several reasons, including:
These are some of the most common reasons, but not the only ones, which come to the courts.
4. Why is it important for objections to be sustained during a trial?
Sustaining objections is an art and part and parcel of really staying within the rules during trials. When the judge sustains an objection, he shows awareness of some evidence being improper, irrelevant, or highly prejudicial that may affect either the jury or himself; such helps in maintaining the integrity of the case and the eventual decision based upon admissible evidence and proper procedure.
Conclusion: Next Time You Hear “Sustained” in Court
If one has watched TV or sat in a courtroom and wondered what does sustained mean in court, hopefully this guide put those thoughts to rest. Now, one will know that when a judge says “sustained,” he agrees with an objection, and that stops the lawyer from continuing on his current path. At first, the words spoken in a court of law can be intimidating, but once you actually start breaking it down, little by little, it’s not that hard to decipher.
And the next time you sit around watching a legal thriller with your friends, you might actually be able to explain what “sustained” means- and look like a legal genius in the process!
Additional Resources for Legal Terms
If you’re interested in learning more about legal terms and courtroom procedures, here are a few resources you might find helpful:
