contemporaneous objection constitutes waiver (Pennsylvania) · Go Syfert
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contemporaneous objection constitutes waiver in Pennsylvania

18 Pennsylvania opinions name it 2 courts 2009–2025 3 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Pennsylvania courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (5)

CaseFollowedCited
Commonwealth v. Powellgreen
pa · 2008 · cited in 10 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2009–2025
2 sentences

2025See also Commonwealth v. Watts, 333 A.3d 25 (Pa. Super. filed December 9, 2024) (holding lack of a contemporaneous objection constitutes a waiver of any challenge to the prosecutor's closing remarks) (citing Commonwealth v. Powell, 956 A.2d 406, 423 (Pa. 2008) (providing that the “absence of a contemporaneous objection below constitutes a waiver of appellant's current claim respecting the prosecutor's closing argument”); Commonwealth v. Butts, 434 A.2d 1216, 1219 (Pa. 1981) (providing that the failure to object during or after summation constitutes a waiver of prosecutorial misconduct claim).

2024Commonwealth v. Powell, 956 A.2d 406, 423 (Pa. 2008) (providing that the “absence of a contemporaneous objection below constitutes a waiver of appellant’s current claim respecting the prosecutor’s closing argument”); Commonwealth v. Butts, 434 A.2d 1216, 1219 (Pa. 1981) (providing that the failure to object during or after summation constitutes a waiver of prosecutorial misconduct claim).

1010
Commonwealth v. Riveragreen
pa · 2009 · cited in 8 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2012–2021
2 sentences

2020As a prefatory matter, “the lack of a contemporaneous objection constitutes a waiver of any challenge to the prosecutor’s closing remarks.” Commonwealth v. Rivera, 603 Pa. 340, 370 , 983 A.2d 1211, 1229 (2009), cert. denied, 560 U.S. 909 , 130 S.Ct. 3282 , 176 L.Ed.2d 1191 (2010).

2020As a prefatory matter, “the lack of a contemporaneous objection constitutes a waiver of any challenge to the prosecutor’s closing remarks.” Commonwealth v. Rivera, 603 Pa. 340, 370 , 983 A.2d 1211, 1229 (2009), cert. denied, 560 U.S. 909 , 130 S.Ct. 3282 , 176 L.Ed.2d 1191 (2010).

88
Commonwealth v. Buttsgreen
pa · 1981 · cited in 5 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2009–2025
2 sentences

2025See also Commonwealth v. Watts, 333 A.3d 25 (Pa. Super. filed December 9, 2024) (holding lack of a contemporaneous objection constitutes a waiver of any challenge to the prosecutor's closing remarks) (citing Commonwealth v. Powell, 956 A.2d 406, 423 (Pa. 2008) (providing that the “absence of a contemporaneous objection below constitutes a waiver of appellant's current claim respecting the prosecutor's closing argument”); Commonwealth v. Butts, 434 A.2d 1216, 1219 (Pa. 1981) (providing that the failure to object during or after summation constitutes a waiver of prosecutorial misconduct claim).

2024Commonwealth v. Powell, 956 A.2d 406, 423 (Pa. 2008) (providing that the “absence of a contemporaneous objection below constitutes a waiver of appellant’s current claim respecting the prosecutor’s closing argument”); Commonwealth v. Butts, 434 A.2d 1216, 1219 (Pa. 1981) (providing that the failure to object during or after summation constitutes a waiver of prosecutorial misconduct claim).

55
Commonwealth v. Williamsgreen
pa · 2004 · cited in 1 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025Additionally, it is well-settled that “the jury is presumed to have followed the trial court's instructions.” Commonwealth v. Williams, 863 A.2d 505, 517 (Pa. 2004) (citation omitted).

11
Commonwealth v. Parkergreen
pasuperct · 2004 · cited in 1 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2019–2019
1 sentence

2019See also Commonwealth v. Parker, 847 A.2d 745, 749-750 (Pa.Super. 2004) (“[I]t is well settled that failure to raise a contemporaneous objection constitutes a waiver of [an evidentiary] claim.”).

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Pennsylvania. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (3)

CaseCitedYears
Walker v. Thaler procedural
scotus · 2010
2 sentences

2020As a prefatory matter, “the lack of a contemporaneous objection constitutes a waiver of any challenge to the prosecutor’s closing remarks.” Commonwealth v. Rivera, 603 Pa. 340, 370 , 983 A.2d 1211, 1229 (2009), cert. denied, 560 U.S. 909 , 130 S.Ct. 3282 , 176 L.Ed.2d 1191 (2010).

2015N.T., 9/4/2014, at 135-136.14 We find this issue is waived. “[T]he lack of a contemporaneous objection constitutes a waiver of any challenge to the prosecutor’s closing remarks.” Commonwealth v. Rivera, 983 A.2d 1211, 1229 (Pa. 2009) (citation omitted), cert. denied, 560 U.S. 909 (2010).

32015–2021
Barros v. McNeil green
scotus · 2010
1 sentence

2020As a prefatory matter, “the lack of a contemporaneous objection constitutes a waiver of any challenge to the prosecutor’s closing remarks.” Commonwealth v. Rivera, 603 Pa. 340, 370 , 983 A.2d 1211, 1229 (2009), cert. denied, 560 U.S. 909 , 130 S.Ct. 3282 , 176 L.Ed.2d 1191 (2010).

12020–2020
Wilson v. Johnson green
scotus · 2010
1 sentence

2020As a prefatory matter, “the lack of a contemporaneous objection constitutes a waiver of any challenge to the prosecutor’s closing remarks.” Commonwealth v. Rivera, 603 Pa. 340, 370 , 983 A.2d 1211, 1229 (2009), cert. denied, 560 U.S. 909 , 130 S.Ct. 3282 , 176 L.Ed.2d 1191 (2010).

12020–2020

Where else courts name it

MS 20 (2000–2023) PA 18 (2009–2025) TN 17 (2013–2026) FL 2 (2018–2021)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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