Temple University Beasley School of Law - Advocacy

JANUARY 16, 2024

The question lawyers need to ponder – and adversaries need to pounce upon – is whether that same admonition applies to what lawyers say in their openings and closings, with the added concern that the warning will be anything you say SHALL be used against you, and you can’t dispute it. The same has been applied to closing arguments.

Closing Argument 40

Closing Argument Opening Statement Admissibility Pleadings 40

Evidence at Trial

OCTOBER 3, 2022

— Franklin Delano Roosevelt Too often in jury trials, attorneys mistakenly think getting evidence admitted is a dry and mechanical process separate and apart from the task of persuasion. Closing argument, the theory goes, is when it will all come together. These thousands of pages were relevant and admissible.

Admissibility 52

Admissibility Evidence Exhibits Objections 52

Evidence at Trial

MARCH 22, 2023

One its expert witnesses walked the jury through powerful demonstrative evidence detailing DNA contamination in its crime lab. In closing argument, you can run through the facts of the case and—referring to the fact judicially noticed—remind the jury that this fact is beyond dispute, because the judge said so.

Evidence 52

Evidence Witnesses Hearsay Rule Admissibility 52