Opinion ID: 1203578
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: deposit slip

Text: Wife testified the copy of the deposit slip showed Husband had taken the funds referenced thereon and deposited them into his mother's account. Husband objected to the line of testimony, noting the copy did not reflect that the deposit had actually been made, and Wife had no actual knowledge concerning whether the deposit had, in fact, been made. The trial judge questioned Wife regarding her direct knowledge that the deposit had been made. Upon her admission that she had no direct knowledge regarding the deposit, the trial court sustained Husband's objection as to the deposit slip. The record does not reflect an offer of the copy of the deposit slip into evidence, an objection to such an offer, or a ruling on the evidence's admissibility. Fundamental principles of evidentiary procedure dictate evidence must be offered before an opposing party may object to its introduction or its admissibility may be ruled upon by a trial court judge. C. McCormick, McCormick on Evidence § 51 (E. Cleary (3d) ed. 1984). A party opposing the introduction of evidence must object to its introduction and state the grounds for the objection. Bramlett v. Davis , 289 S.C. 85, 344 S.E. (2d) 867 (Ct. App. 1986). Well settled principles of appellate review prevent this Court from reviewing alleged error committed below on grounds not raised before the trial court. See e.g. Rosamond Enterprises, Inc. v. McGranahan , 278 S.C. 512, 299 S.E. (2d) 337 (1983). To hold evidence to which reference is made, but which is not offered into evidence, is admissible would severely prejudice the party opposing its introduction by virtually precluding the party from placing the grounds for his objection on the record. Therefore, as the record clearly reflects the copy of the deposit slip was not offered into evidence, we believe the Court of Appeals erred in holding the copy of the deposit slip was admissible.