How to Make a Strong Opening Statement
Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 7:15PM Your Opening Statement is important for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that this is your first impression with the jury. How you present yourself and your trial theory can have a tremendous impact on the outcome of the trial. Although we would like to believe otherwise, the jury will begin making private determinations of innocence or guilt from the very first moment the accused walks into the courtroom. Your ability to set the stage with your Opening Statement is therefore a very critical component in the trial.
1. Master Your Opening:
You have to know your opening statement cold. Reading from a script, perched behind the podium isn’t going to do it. This is your first impression and your first chance to connect with the jury. Let them know you're in control of the case. Keep a sheet with bullet points of your statement at the podium and refer to them if you need. But whatever you do, don't read your opening.
2. Personalize Your Client:
Whether you’re the attorney for the plaintiff or defendant, building your client’s reputation can be paramount. For example, in a criminal trial, it would be important to humanize the alleged criminal and to highlight the positive attributes from his or her personal and professional life. If the jury can connect with your client, they are more likely to sympathize with his or her position.
3. Courtroom Delivery:
Almost as important as what you say, is how you say it. It is important to use body language and voice inflection to emphasize your message. It's good practice to step away from the podium to connect with the jury. During the more critical moments of your Opening Statement, you need to make certain that the jury is fully engaged. Voice inflection and your positioning in the courtroom (e.g. proximity to the jury box) can help ensure they get the message.
4. The Burden of Proof:
Depending on the type of trial, you will be faced with a different burden of proof. Stated simply, the burden of proof is the obligation to shift the assumed conclusion away from an oppositional opinion to one's own position. In most criminal cases, the burden of proof is reasonable doubt. For the jury, this can be a very difficult concept to understand, but its understanding can be critical to your clients success. One effective method is the use of analogy to explain the threshold of reasonable doubt. Click here to watch a good example.
5. Paint the Picture:
Your opening statement should tell a story. You will need to start with a well-crafted trial theory. Your theory is an account of the facts and controlling law that lead to a favorable outcome.
6. Always request a specific verdict:
Nothing fancy about it, but it's often left out. Don't forget to ask the jury for a verdict.
Example:
At the end of this trial I ask you to submit a verdict of not guilty. Thank you.
Reader Comments (10)
Like it, the article content is very rich, if can add more videos, that it would be better, want to see your next article, this is some of my information about iwc spitfire
and la strada watches, hope you like them.
jordan fusion new releases
jordan fusion wristbands
Air Jordan 6 Max Fusion
Air Jordan 11 Max Fusion
Air Jordan Fusion 4
LV Handbag Outlet Sale
jordan fusions new releases
jordan fusion ones
real louis vuitton handbags
jordan fusion obama
jordan fusion royal
Authentic Louis Vuitton
jordan fusion lifestyle
jordan fusion logo
air jordan fusion 12
jordan fusion june 14
Jordan Fusion 5
jordan fusion nike
jordan fusion two
air jordan fusion myspace layouts
air jordan fusion retro basketball shoes
new jordan fusion 09
jordan 12 fusion
jordan fusion nike shoes
Air Jordan Fusion 6
new jordan fusion 3
Jordan Fusion 3
nike air jordan fusion kids
jordan fusion retro 8
LV Handbag Outlet Sale
jordan fusions lime green
jordan fusion releases
jordan fusion sale
louis vuitton hats
jordan fusion v sneaker
jordan fusion premier
custom jordan fusion kicks
air jordan fusion one
jordan fusion max
jordans for sale
jordan fusion 15
jordan fusion v cactus
jordan fusion shoes cheap
jordan fusions womens
jordan fusion 3 premier
jordan fusion og jacket
jordan fusion 20 low
jordan fusion new release
jordan fusion wholesale
jordan fusion 25
jordan fusion viii
cheap jordan sneakers
cheap jordan fusion shoes
air jordan fusion websites
jordan fusion paypal
air jordan fusion xi
air jordan fusion wholesale
jordan fusion pe
Air Jordan Fusion 9
jordan fusion sneakers
air jordan fusion 3
jordan fusion list
jordan fusions premier
jordan fusion myspace layouts
nike jordan fusion two
Jordan Fusion 8
jordan fusion white
jordan fusions newest ones
official jordan fusion website
air jordan fusion new
jordan fusion vi
Jordan 2011 Max Fusion
air jordan fusion mid
jordan fusion v 5
jordan fusions white blue trim rainbow sole
jordan fusion xl
Louis Vuitton Men Low Shoes
brown jordan fusion outdoor furniture
air jordan fusion nine
air jordan fusion playoff
jordan fusion xxiii 23
air jordan fusion xiii
authentic LV Scarves
jordan fusion shirts
jordan fusion olive/orange
jordan fusion v wine
jordans fusion mid 13
Air Jordan Fusion 12
jordan fusion release dates 2011
jordan fusion 12 sneaker
jordan fusion youth
mens louis vuitton sunglasses
jordan fusion 20
jordan fusion three
jordan fusion 3 varsity
jordan fusion low top
jordan fusion
jordan fusion with air force ones
Jordan 12 Max Fusion
jordan fusion 07
jordan fusion release dates
jordan fusion layouts
Air Jordan 13 Max Fusion
jordan fusion rainbow
air jordan fusion jacket
air force jordan fusion new
jordan fusion xx for women
jordan fusion myspace
Louis Vuitton Scarves
jordan fusion warehouse
jordan fusion titanium
air jordan fusion vi
louis vuitton tie clip
jordan 5 fusion
jordan fusions 06
jordan fusion pink
Air Jordan Fusion 20
wishesg 20 jordan fusion men shoes info
air jordan fusion t shirt
jordan fusion kicks
jordan fusion quarter sock
jordans fusion mid 3
jordan fusion shoes sneaker
Jordan 3 Max Fusion
jordan fusion real
jordan fusion xii
authentic jordan fusion v
Men T-Shirt
jordan fusion prices
jordan fusion 10
jordan fusion mix
jordan fusion 11
air jordan fusion 3 shoes
Air Jordan 9 Max Fusion
jordan fusion tags
jordan fusion 2009
jordan fusion red
air jordan fusion release dates
jordan fusion 24
jordan fusion peel
Louis Vuitton Ties
jordan fusion 22
air jordan fusion 23
jordan fusion low
jordan fusion retro 5
jordan fusion 25 & jordan 6 men shoes
jordan fusion 05
jordan fusion on sale
Jordan Fusion 13
jordan fusion release dates 2010
jordan fusion new
air jordan fusion youth
air jordan fusion kids
jordan fusion 09
jordan fusion plaid
Jordan shoes are a specific cheap real jordan shoes shoe line from the world leader in sports goods manufacturing and brand, Nike. These shoes were started as an ode to the legendary basketball player Michael Jordan.The advantages of Air Jordans outlet
this over other popular shoe brands are as follows. If you are a basketball player then you need a shoe that will provide some comfort when you make quick cuts or dodges in the game. If your shoes are not comfortable, then you may lose control Air Jordans 9 Retro
and slip eventually leading to a fractured ankle, wrist or leg. It will provide Louis Vuitton for Cheap a comfort and assure cheap nike shox you have the right grip throughout the game thus making you Nike Shox TN Women stable.The importance Air Max 2009
of your weight depends on the type of game. And for your information, basketball is also considered a cardiovascular exercise. It is considered that the lighter the shoes, shoes, the more weight, Air Jordans 13 Retro
the better the quality, more will it prevent any injuries. It will definitely provide all this.
The flap is kept in place by Authentic Louis Vuitton underwear
a leather buckled strap. A touch of the traditional is Louis Vuitton Monogram Bags
added by the classic monogram canvas. Louis Vuitton backpacks are generally more expensive than regular Louis Vuitton purses, making it tough for today’s budget-conscious consumers Cheap Louis Vuitton
to afford them. At Top 1 Handbags, we make it possible to enjoy their Louis Vuitton Leather
sophisticated style without breaking the bank. Our leather artisans Louis Vuitton Bikini
carefully study the original bags and then painstakingly replicate each detail, ensuring a high-quality replica Louis Vuitton handbag that will endure for years to come. Want to know more about Louis Vuitton City Bag? Visit http://www.handbags800.com ?for more articles on LV,Gucci,Chanel,Hermes and other designer bags. Visit http://gucci-review.com ?for latest Gucci Handbags,Pursese and Bags Reviews Visit http://louis-vuitton-review.com ?for Latest LVHandbags,Purses and Bags Reviews
Legendary fashion house Louis Vuitton was founded in 1854. Louis Vuitton Monogram Denim handbags sale
Louis Vuitton gained his status in creating bags. That's why he became a trunk-maker to the Napoleon III wife. For quite a few years Louis Vuitton studied the real basis of the so called Louis Vuitton T Shirt Outlet
journey-friendly baggage. Then he made up his mind to deconstruct that model. He designed very light trunks with a plane bottom made of magnificent airtight sailcloth.
Go on-line and check out on-line stores.Air Jordan Alpha 1
to generate surfing around easier, narrow it straight Air Jordan 20
right down to precise types of clothes. Air Jordan 9
Or you may possibly do the lookup for boots or shoes Air Jordan 6 Rings
and clothing depending on Retro Jordan Shoes
brands.