A lay witness is an ordinary person who testifies based upon their personal knowledge and life experiences. A lay witness is distinguished from an expert testimony, who testifies and gives and opinion based upon their qualifications of expertise in their field. A lay witness' opinion must not be based on knowledge outside the understanding of the ordinary person.
Pennsylvania Motion in Liming Regarding The Testimony of Lay Witnesses A motion in liming is a request made by a party to admit or exclude specific evidence before it is presented to the jury or judge during a trial. In Pennsylvania, a motion in liming regarding the testimony of lay witnesses seeks clarification on the admissibility and scope of testimony from non-expert witnesses. Keywords: Pennsylvania, motion in liming, testimony, lay witnesses, admissibility, non-expert witnesses, clarification Types of Pennsylvania Motions in Liming Regarding The Testimony of Lay Witnesses: 1. Motion to Exclude Irrelevant or Prejudicial Testimony by Lay Witnesses: This type of motion seeks to prevent non-expert witnesses from providing testimony that is not relevant to the case at hand or may unfairly prejudice the jury's perception of the evidence. 2. Motion to Limit the Testimony of Lay Witnesses to Matters of Personal Knowledge: Lay witnesses are typically restricted to offering testimony based on their personal knowledge or observations, rather than providing expert opinions or drawing conclusions. This motion requests that the court enforce these limitations and prevent lay witnesses from presenting testimony outside their area of expertise. 3. Motion to Exclude Hearsay Testimony by Lay Witnesses: Hearsay refers to an out-of-court statement offered for the truth of the matter asserted. This motion aims to exclude any hearsay testimony provided by lay witnesses, as it is generally inadmissible under Pennsylvania evidence rules, with certain exceptions. 4. Motion to Exclude Speculative Testimony by Lay Witnesses: Lay witnesses are not allowed to provide testimony based on speculation or assumptions. This motion aims to restrict lay witnesses from presenting opinions or making statements that lack a factual basis. 5. Motion to Exclude Character Testimony by Lay Witnesses: Character testimony can be highly influential but is often prohibited in Pennsylvania civil trials. This motion seeks to prevent lay witnesses from offering testimony about a person's character unless it is specifically permitted by the applicable rules of evidence. 6. Motion for a Louder-Cama Hearing to Determine Lay Witness Competence: In certain cases, the competency of a lay witness to provide accurate testimony may be in question. This motion requests a Louder-Cama hearing, which is a specialized hearing to evaluate the competence of the lay witness before their testimony is admitted. Note: It is important to consult with an attorney when using or responding to a motion in liming regarding the testimony of lay witnesses in Pennsylvania, as specific rules and procedures may vary depending on the court and jurisdiction.
