Using Demonstrative Exhibits - 101
I was preparing to dazzle you with a primer on the use of demonstrative exhibits in your presentation when I discovered an excellent article in the Georgia Injury Lawyer Blog written by Richard W. Hendrix of the law firm Finch McCranie, LLP in Atlanta, Georgia.
The article is entitled "Closing Arguments: Trial Techniques for Serious Injury Cases" and attorney Hendrix covers a variety of well reasoned points.
But - since my focus is on graphic or visual presentation in the courtroom I was impressed by his paragraph covering the USE DEMONSTRATIVES AND TRIAL EXHIBITS wherin Mr. Hendrix states:
"Every good trial lawyer knows that a jury remembers best that which they both hear and see" which has been my mantra for the past several weeks. (Good to see that others are in agreement!)
He goes on to say: "Accordingly, demonstrative exhibits should always be used during closing argument. Sometimes demonstrative exhibits are necessary in order to emphasize a point about liability. Sometimes they are used to emphasize principles of law.
Effective demonstratives can also be used to discuss damages. A good closing argument might use demonstratives in all of these areas. In short, a well prepared demonstrative exhibit will assist counsel in making his point while at the same time assisting the jury in remembering it.
Of course, in addition to using demonstrative exhibits, actual trial exhibits should be shown to the jury just as a demonstrative exhibit would be shown. If a particular exhibit is important, the exhibit should be referred to by number and shown to the jury and its importance to the case should be discussed. An actual trial exhibit (blown up) can be used as a demonstrative exhibit in this fashion where counsel uses the exhibit to demonstrate to the jury why it is that the evidence supports his client’s contentions on any contested issue in the case. "
To sum up - think visual when you're preparing your presentation - design for clarity.
My favorite statement by Mr.Hendix is actually his opening line for the article: "You must close your summation with confidence and with an ending appropriate to the tone of the case that will have the desired impact. Once you have concluded, sit down with an air of confidence that you have clearly won your case."
Gotta love it!
