A motion in limine can be made by either the defense or the prosecution. It is normally filed prior to trial as a request that the court determine the admissibility of specific evidence. Often, the defense will ask the court to rule that the evidence is unfairly prejudicial or irrelevant, and is therefore inadmissible. Sometimes, the moving party may be asking the court to rule that the evidence should be admitted at trial. This ruling, prior to the beginning of trial, can help the defense or prosecution more securely lock in their trial strategy or plan. (See Utah R. Evid. 103, 401-403.)
The best defense attorneys ask questions that police don’t.