In limine

Okay kiddo, have you ever heard of a game where you have to ask the right questions to win? Well, in the grown-up world, sometimes lawyers have to play this game too. It's called "in limine."

In limine is a fancy Latin phrase that means "at the start" or "beforehand." It's something lawyers use to ask the judge if they can bring up certain things during a trial. They have to ask the right questions so they don't break any rules or make the other side upset.

Think of it like a giant puzzle. The lawyers have to figure out which pieces they can use and which ones they can't. In limine is like a special tool that helps them decide which pieces to use before they even start playing the game.

So, when a lawyer says "Your Honor, I'd like to make an in limine motion," it means they want to ask a question to figure out if they can use certain information in the trial. The judge will decide whether or not they can, and then the lawyers can go on to use the information they're allowed to use.

It might sound complicated, but it's just like playing I Spy, where you have to find the right clues to win. Lawyers just have to use their words carefully to win their case.