Trial lawyers are familiar with the general obligation to timely object at trial, in order to preserve an evidentiary issue for appeal.

To preserve speedy trial rights, it is critical not only to make timely speedy trial motions, but to object clearly on and in the record to trial date continuances and other trial delays. Virginia’s intermediate appellate court today confirmed that objecting is the only way to preserve one’s right under the state’s speedy trial statute. "I object" is a critical mantra. Howard v. Virginia, ___ Va. App. ___ (Dec. 22, 2009).