Anthony Shorter is an attorney in Houston Texas who was in private practice for a dozen years and then joined the Texas Attorney General’s office in 1998, where he still works today in the child support division. Computer programming is a hobby of his, and when deciding what to do for his first iPhone app he thought that attorneys might find it useful to have app listing objections that can be used at trial. The result is his $2.99 app Courtroom Objections. He gave me a free copy to review for this post.
The app is straightforward, so you can use it quickly when you are in court. The app has two parts, accessed by buttons at the bottom of the screen. The left button allows you to view a list of objections to admissibility. The right button allows you to view a list of objections to form.
Tap an objection to see a sample of what you could say to make the objection, along with an explanation of the law that supports the objection.
I wish that the app would also tell you the rule number supporting the objection. I realize that this can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but it would be helpful to at least include the Federal Rule of Evidence number since so many states follow them. Shorter tells me that he will likely include the numbers in an update. I also think that the type is way too small on the page listing hearsay exceptions, and indeed I could see this app adding a third button at the bottom just to address all of the hearsay rules and exceptions.
When I was in law school, half of my credit hours my third year were devoted to participating in a criminal justice clinic program in which I tried cases (prosecution one semester, defense the other). In the program, I was given a pocket-size book with content similar to this app. Years later, I still sometimes refer to that book when thinking about the best way to phrase an objection. Thus, I can see the value in having something like this on an iPhone because it is always with you, especially if this app is updated to add rule numbers and other useful content. If you try cases, especially if you are still learning all of the objections, this app is worth a look.
Click here for Courtroom Courtroom Objections ($2.99): 
Oh my, it’s now come to this. Perhaps version 1.1 will allow for the iPhone to speak the objection for you. You could just hold the iPhone up to the microphone. Perhaps a nice sexy U.K. voice would impress the Judge.
I can see a litigator scrolling through the Objections on the iPhone as opposing counsel is crossing your client rapid fire. (“I know it’s in here someplace. Oh yes, here it is. ‘Your Honor, I object. Counsel has not established that the conduct qualifies as admissible habit evidence under the rules.'” Judge: “Counsel, that was 4 questions ago. What exactly is that in your hand?” Attorney: “Here, let me show it to you.”)
For those who gained legal expertise through watching court on TV, here’s a secret: real lawyers (at least the good ones) rely heavily on written preparation and resource material during trial. Electronic versions of notes have been creeping into court via laptops and other portable devices at counsel table and the bench for years. This app is a good cumulative index of information on objections, with a layout by alpha topic which makes scrolling to find info a lot faster than flipping through a printed legal code. The sample oral objection at the start of each topic is also quite useful, not just for law students in moot court competition or new lawyers, but for seasoned veterans who haven’t used that specific objection in a while (or in the heat of trial, are having a “brain-fade” moment).
I have this app, and it works great on my iPhone and iPad. It’s a very useful resource for a very nominal investment.