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WARNING: YOUR OPENING STATEMENT OR CLOSING ARGUMENT MAY BE USED AGAINST YOU

Temple University Beasley School of Law - Advocacy

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. MacDonald v. GMC , 110 F.3d 3d 337, 340 (6 th Cir.

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Essential Steps for Effective Trial Preparation

Jonathan Leach LLC

Ensure all evidence is admissible and be prepared to address any challenges. This includes reviewing their statements, practicing direct and cross-examinations, and preparing them for potential questions from the opposition. Draft these statements carefully, ensuring they are persuasive and aligned with your case theory.

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OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CROSS EXAMINATION

Plaintiff Trial Lawyer Tips

You tell it starting in jury selection and continue it through opening statement, direct examination, cross examination and argument. For example, following the admission the light was red, one might ask next Now, when you saw the red light, you were driving over the speed limit, werent you?