There’s more to winning a case, than simply showing up at court. There are plenty of preparation steps that need to be taken and lots of people who can help with this. An attorney will have a lot on his plate, so receiving additional litigation support services in NJ can be very helpful. These types of services can assist with researching, digging up evidence, and preparing you for your actual time in the courtroom.
Speaking in front of an audience can be intimidating, especially when you have to prove your composure, character, and validity. Even if innocent, this can be a daunting task for some. For situations such as this, litigation support services in NJ provide mock jury exercises. After completing the mock jury trial, make sure to get answers to the following questions. They will allow for a smoother and more effective presentation in the actual courtroom.
What verdict did the mock jury reach?
An attorney’s client may truly be without fault or innocent, their case is deemed flawless, but when presented to the mock jury — they find the client at fault. So now you have to figure out what went wrong. What part of your presentation is lacking? What information is missing? Perhaps you are not focusing on important enough evidence, or maybe you have simply not gathered enough evidence yet. Maybe the client is simply not coming across as convincing. A lack of convincing could be sourced in the litigation graphics. Perhaps the graphics don’t flow as well as you thought, or they contain unnecessary information. If your mock jury does reach the intended verdict, it is still important to receive feedback from them and to capitalize on the points that were the most influential.
How did the jury feel about your litigation graphics?
Some people learn best audibly, others visually, but in a court of law it’s important to remember that your jury could be comprised of all different kinds of people. Thus, it’s important to create simple, universally understood graphics. Was there too much information in one graphic? Not enough information? Was information in a chart form that should have been on a timeline? All of these questions need answering by your mock jury before you step foot in the actual courtroom. You want to create graphics that boost your argument and do not distract the jurors from your words. And these graphics are also not simply a means of repetition; they are a means of clarification.
How did the mock jury find your public speaking?
The aesthetics and clarity of your graphics go hand in hand with your presentation of the graphics. Allow your words to sink in before you present a visual to the jury. They can only take in so much information at once, and you don’t want anything getting lost. It pays to speak well. Attorneys are sure to have more practice with public speaking than their client, but practice for both can only help make both parties more comfortable. It’s easy to forget that these jurors are not as familiar with the ins and the outs of the case as you are. When presenting the case, don’t forget the basics!
How will the mock jury communicate their feedback?
Sometimes the mock jury may be given a questionnaire or a page to write notes on prior to the mock trial, so that feedback is concrete and direct alterations can be made. Your litigation consultant is primarily responsible for accessing this information from the mock jury and asking further follow up questions about specifics of the presentation. It’s important to get a feel of what the jurors remembered most, how your case and presentation compared to your opponents, and if your “theme” was understood.
Taking the time to conduct a mock jury can truly save an upcoming case. Whether the feedback of the jurors encourages clearer visuals, better researched evidence, or more confident speaking, feedback is always helpful. Mock juries are one of many litigation support services aimed to improve your case. Contact us at our Litegation website for any litigation support services.
