What does the 'non-responsive' objection indicate?

What does the 'non-responsive' objection indicate?

• A. The witness's answer addresses the question
• B. The witness's answer is incomplete
• C. The witness's answer does not address the question asked and should be struck
• D. The witness's answer is admissible as introductory testimony

Answer: (C)

Non-responsive means the witness did not address the question asked. When this happens, the judge can strike that portion of the answer and require the witness to answer directly. The idea is to keep testimony on point and avoid irrelevant narration or speculation. This usually shows up when a witness goes off-topic or tells a story instead of answering the exact question posed. The best choice captures both the lack of addressing the question and the remedy—to strike that part of the answer. It isn’t about completeness, nor about admissibility as introductory testimony.

Non-responsive means the witness did not address the question asked. When this happens, the judge can strike that portion of the answer and require the witness to answer directly. The idea is to keep testimony on point and avoid irrelevant narration or speculation. This usually shows up when a witness goes off-topic or tells a story instead of answering the exact question posed. The best choice captures both the lack of addressing the question and the remedy—to strike that part of the answer. It isn’t about completeness, nor about admissibility as introductory testimony.