Presented byNicole Longwell

Prepared byJonathon HortonNicole Longwell

TRIAL BASICS

Trial Basics

Four Basics applicable to all trials:• Understanding basic story telling

principles• Preparing a persuasive trial story• Using the appropriate trial technique

tools in planning your case• Keeping the proper demeanor in the

courtroom

Preparing a Persuasive Trial Story

• There are two crucial elements to telling a persuasive trial story– A Theory- single paragraph which

combines facts and law and leads jury to conclusion that your client should win. Cake

– A Theme- no longer than one sentence which appeals to shared values, civic virtues and common motivations. Frosting

Using Appropriate Trial Technique Tools

• Tools applicable to all stages of the trial:– Sequencing– Repetition and Duration

Keeping the Proper Demeanor in the Courtroom

• At all times a trial attorney should maintain the following:– Integrity- single most important tool an

attorney can bring to the courtroom– Confidence- best way to be confident is

to be competent. Preparation and organization are crucial to competence.

Opening Statement

Opening Statement

• “Opening” • “Statement”

Goals for Opening Statement

• Establish your theme.• Demonstrate your credibility to the

jury.

3 Tips for Establishing Credibility During Opening

Statements • Tell your client’s story to the jury.• Tell the whole story• Keep it “strong and safe.”

DIRECT EXAMINATION

Direct Examination• Most trials are won based upon

strength of your own case and not the weaknesses of your opponent’s case.

• Direct examinations must be clear.• Direct examinations must present

the facts of your case.• Your theme and theory should run

through every direct examination.

Elements of Effective Direct Examination

• Keep it simple.• Use logical organization.• Proposed logical sequence :

– Personal background– Scene description– Action description– Introduction of exhibits supported by

witness– Damages description (if applicable)

Role of Direct Examination

• Introduce undisputed facts.• Put forth client’s version of the

disputed facts.• Lay foundation for exhibits.• Reflect upon the credibility of the

witness.

Rules of Direct Examination• Witness must be competent.• Must possess personal knowledge of the

material issues of the case.• Cannot use leading questions. Most

difficult for inexperienced lawyers.• Exceptions to non-leading questions:

– Preliminary matters– Issues not in dispute– Directing witness’ attention to specific issues.

Planning a Direct Examination

• Eleven elements to an effective direct examination:– Know what to include.– Know what to exclude.– Use topical organization.– Do not interrupt the action.– Give separate details attention.– Do not scatter circumstantial evidence.– Use defensive direct examination.

Planning a Direct Examinationcont’d

– Good facts before addressing bad facts.– Get to the point.– End with a clincher– Ignore all other ten elements when

necessary.

Cross ExaminationOr thoughts about Perry Mason and

Ben Matlock

Cross v. Direct Examination• Witness is not friendly.• Can ask leading questions. Rule

611(c).• Cross-Examination can be either

constructive or destructive.

Scope of Examination• Normally, scope of cross-examination is

limited to the witness’ testimony on direct.• Mock Trial goes further.

– Rule 611(b) allows inquiry into “any relevant facts or matters contained in the witness’ statement, including all reasonable inferences that can be drawn from those facts and matters and may inquire into any omissions from the witness statement that are otherwise material and admissible.”

Effective Cross• Seeks Concessions from the witness

by asking questions where the answer will:– Strengthen your case with facts known

by the other side’s witness; and – Weaken the other side’s case by attack

the credibility, i.e. the “believe-ability” of the other side’s witness.

Tips for Surviving Cross-Examination

• You are testifying.• Control the witness.• Don’t Quibble.• Have a poker face.• Save It [the Argument] for later.• Attack the credibility.

Strengthen Your Case – How?• List out the core or indisputable facts

about the case– If those facts are indisputable, the

witness must concede the fact or appear unbelievable

– We use the other side’s witness as your own witness by getting those facts into evidence which will support your witnesses

Strengthen Your Case – How?• Identify the core facts for the other

side– What is the other side’s theory of the

case?– What inferences are they relying on

from the evidence?– Then develop your case to show the

improbability of those inferences

Now What?• Organize those concessions and

improbabilities by topic – this will provide the framework for the cross

• If your question contains too many facts or assumptions it is too easy for the witness to avoid or explain – so break down

Example: Party Store Robbery

• The victim identifies her former boyfriend as the robber.

• The defense’s theory is the victim is a “scorned woman” and the indentification is false.

Analysis• There are three parts to the

defense’s theory– Relationship – what is the basis for the

witness’ ID of the robber, since the robber was wearing a mask?

– Scorned – eye witness disputes, but how do you prove

– False accusation – if this is true, at what point and time did she create the scheme?

Evaluate Analysis versus “Core” Facts

• We know: the next customer arrived two minutes after the robber

• We infer: Not enough time for eye witness to plan a revenge scheme

• We know: robber had eye witness lie on floor; fired shotgun inches from her head

• We infer: eye witness must have thought that she was about to die

Ask: what else must be true?• Inference: if eye witness thought

that she almost died, why ignore real robber to get back at ex-boyfriend.

• Inference: with no time to plan, how did eye witness know where the robber was?– What if the robber had an alibi?– She risked a false report of a crime– Is this probable?

Rules of Evidence• Mock Trial Rules of Evidence outline

the rules for the introduction of evidence, including witness testimony.

ObjectionsBe Prepared to object during your opponent’s direct examination and to respond to objections during your cross-examination

• Two types of Objections• Objections to form• Objections to substance

Attacking Credibility• Means of knowledge• Strength of Memory• Opportunities for observation• Reasonableness and

consistency/inconsistency of testimony or evidence

• Bias-Prejudice or interest

Attacking Credibility is Based on Witness Type

• Alibi witnesses– How does that witness recall the details of the

day – look for inconsistencies with the indisputable facts

• Character witness– Demonstrate bias (good or bad)

• Eye-witness– Opportunity to hear or see actions

• Expert– Qualifications; source of information

Character Evidence• Subject to some exceptions, Rule 404

prohibits introduction of evidence of character, crimes, and bad acts, if offered to show a party acted in conformity with the character or bad acts.

• E.g. Defendant lied on his employment application, and would lie again.

Exceptions to General Rule• Evidence offered for another

purpose. Rule 404(b).• In criminal cases, where Defendant

raises the issue of character. Rule 404(a)(1&2).

• Evidence of Witness’ Character. Rule 404(a)(3) says see Rules 607 & 608.

Rule 607• “The credibility of a witness can be

attacked by any party, including the party calling the witness.”

• You can attack the credibility of any witness, even your own.

Rule 608• Addresses bad acts that did not result in a

criminal conviction.• 4 Basic Rules:

– 1. Trial judge may allow questioning, buthas ability to stop inquiry at any time.

– 2. Prior bad act must relate to truthfulness– 3. You’re stuck with the answer you get.– 4. Good faith basis required to ask about a

prior bad act.

Rule 609• Deals with Criminal Convictions• 3 Basic Rules:

– 1. Prior convictions for offenses involving

dishonesty are always available to impeach.

– 2. Other crimes may be used unless the judge

thinks they are too prejudicial.– 3. Rule 404 still applies to criminal

defendants.

CLOSING ARGUMENTBRINGING IT HOME FOR

THE JURY

Closing Argument• The Role and Function of Closing

Argument.• Incorporate Themes and Theories.• Making a Closing Argument Effective.• Format.

The Role and Function of Closing Argument

• Opportunity to tell the story of your case in its entirety, without interruptions and free from constraining formalities.

• Only as successful as the preceding stages of trial.

• Opportunity to reflect upon and encompass the evidence that has been admitted into your case.

Incorporating Themes and Theories into the Closing

ArgumentTheory• Communicate your theory which you

initiated in your opening and reiterated throughout the trial.

• Your theory and closing argument must be logical.

• The application of your theory to your argument must be believable.

• Finally, your theory must be legally sufficient.

Incorporating Themes and Theories into the Closing

ArgumentTheme • Must be a constant presence throughout

the entirety of the trial.• Should evoke shared beliefs and common

values.• Must explain to the jury why a verdict in

your client’s favor is morally desirable.• Must demonstrate evidence admitted

supports your theme.

Making a Closing Argument Effective

• Use conclusions. Show how your conclusion logically flows from evidence.

• Use inferences. Show that a desired inference can be drawn from a known fact.

• Explain importance and relevance of details and circumstantial evidence.

• Use analogies and stories.• Comment on and compare the motive and

credibility of each witness.

Making a Closing Argument Effectivecont’d

• Discuss the weight of each relevant piece of evidence to your case.

• Discuss the demeanor of the witnesses.

• Refute your opponent’s case by pointing out inconsistencies, implausibilites, errors and contradictions.

• Apply the law to the evidence presented.

• Elaborate on the moral theme of the case.

Format of Closing ArgumentClosing Argument is divided into three parts:• Plaintiff’s argument in chief- must prove to

jury that burden as to claims have been met and that verdict in Plaintiff’s favor is appropriate.

• Defendant’s argument in chief-demonstrate Plaintiff has not met burden and anticipate rebuttal of Plaintiff.

• Plaintiff’s rebuttal argument-address arguments raised and relate back to major propositions raised in argument in chief.

Customary Ending Joke

TELL THE JURY WHAT YOU WANT

• Jury needs to know what you want it to do (non-bifurcated):– In Civil Trial-

• Plaintiff- Tell them what their verdict should be and how much money your client wants.

• Defendant- Tell them what their verdict should be and why Plaintiff is entitled to a single red cent.

– In Criminal Trial- • Tell them what their verdict should be