Court Reporter Practice Exam

What is a blanket objection?

1. To object to all evidence without specifying the grounds

2. Objecting on the grounds that the evidence is incompetent

3. To challenge the entire case instead of specific points

4. To prevent any witness from testifying in a trial

The correct answer is: Objecting on the grounds that the evidence is incompetent

A blanket objection refers to the act of objecting to all evidence presented without offering specific reasons for that objection. The essence of a blanket objection is its generality, which distinguishes it from more focused objections that cite particular grounds, such as relevance or hearsay. In this context, the correct choice highlights that a blanket objection is not about objecting solely based on the evidence being incompetent, but rather encompasses broader objections that can apply to multiple pieces of evidence indiscriminately. The nature of blanket objections is such that they may not hold up in court if the party objecting fails to articulate which aspects of the evidence are problematic. The other choices address specific forms of objection or challenges that do not align with the definition of a blanket objection. C, for instance, refers to challenging an entire case rather than specific objections, while D pertains to barring a witness from testifying, which is a more pointed objection. These examples illustrate the nuanced distinctions between blanket objections and more focused legal strategies.