Practitioners try to avoid having to appeal, of course. If trial counsel finds it necessary to appeal, however, counsel should ensure that appealable issues have been properly preserved. And there are many pitfalls in preserving an issue for appeal before, during, or even after trial. In Pennsylvania, the general rule is that issues not raised in the trial court are waived and cannot be raised for the first time on appeal. This means practitioners must raise and preserve issues at every opportunity under the procedural rules. Issues could be raised and preserved before trial by, for example, motions in limine. Issues could be raised and preserved during trial by, for example, objections or exceptions to the ruling on the objections. Pennsylvania has unique procedures for raising and preserving issues for appeal after trial that could "surprise" many unsuspecting practitioners, especially those who do not practice regularly in the commonwealth.