Tell the story better than the other side.

Opening Statements  This is like the introductory paragraph and thesis statement of an essay  This lays the foundation for the entire story that you plan to tell to the jury  You are selling your story to the jury!!  Practice it Practice it  Make eye contact with your audience  Your “team” will be responsible for ONE opening statement  Attorneys and Legal Aide will receive a grade on this

Your Opening MUST include the following: 1. Introduce yourselves to the court and the jury 2. Tell the jury the story of your case 3. Do NOT assume they know anything about the case 4. Tell they jury what the evidence will show “First, this witness will tell you…” “Then you will hear…” 5. You MUST discuss the relevant law 6. Have some sort of a theme that runs throughout

Closing Arguments  This is the last time that you get to speak to the jury, so make the most of it  You MUST take this time to rebut the opposition’s case  You are going to outline your closing BEFORE the trial and then fill it in with stuff (legal term) brought out during the trial  This is an argument not a statement, so put your side’s twist on it and be passionate  Your “team” will be responsible for ONE closing argument  Attorneys and Legal Aide will receive a grade on this

You Closing MUST include the following: 1. Thank you to the judge and jury 2. Retell the story…returning to the theme you established in the Opening Statement Retell the story 3. Go over the strengths of your witnesses and the weaknesses of the opposition’s witnesses 4. Remind the jury of the relevant laws 5. Tell the jury what you want and why you want it How much money (civil trial) Guilty or not guilty (criminal trial)

Rules of Evidence  How do you submit something into evidence?  How do you qualify someone as an expert witness?  We will go over objections later

Submit Something into Evidence 1. It has to be recognized as authentic (real and relevant) by a witness who would know that it is real and relevant. “Officer Crowley, is this the drawing that you made of the accident scene?” 2. The witness has to use it during testimony “Can you please show me on this drawing where the car stopped after the accident?” 3. You then have to move it into evidence “Your Honor, I would like to move Defense Exhibit A into evidence.”

Qualifying Someone as an Expert WitnessExpert Witness  An expert CAN speculate and give their opinion on things in their area of expertise.  An expert witness’s testimony is more credible than that of a layperson.

Qualify as an Expert 1. Prove that the person was trained in their area of expertise (curriculum vitae) “Where did you go to school?” “Where did you earn your doctorate?” 2. Proved that they have practiced their trainingtraining “How long have you worked in the hospital?” “How long have you been a police officer?” “Have you published any books on this subject?” 3. Offer the witness as an expert in some field “Your Honor, I would like to qualify Dr. Smith as an expert in forensic medicine.”  Pay attention!! Pay attention!!