By: Leonard A. Martinez, Attorney at Law
What is better- starting off strong or finishing off strong? To some legal professionals having a strong opening statement can wrap up a case, while others prefer the closing statements to literally wrap up the case for them; however, both of these legal professionals make a dire mistake… they don’t look at their evidence and witnesses. When concerning an important trial, using all of these techniques would be better for your case, and how to organize them is simple: create a legal sandwich.
Similar to your favorite deli, the bread is the outside layers, as the strongest part of your case is the beginning and end, holding everything else together. When it comes to your meat of the sandwich, pick your two best witnesses or the meat, and you two strongest pieces of evidence or the cheese. Now when it comes to the order of the meat, have your second-best witness presented first and your strongest as your last; saving the best for later and continually building your argument. Also make sure that the specified evidence (cheese) also follows the (meat) accordingly, or everything else will not be as strong in the middle. When it comes to a weak case, the sandwich format is jumbled and messy, and if the trial is a long drawn out one, more than two days, the evidence in the middle will get lost or even forgotten. That’s is why the order of good to best is the tip for success, with equally, if not stronger- opening and closing statements. No matter if it is a criminal case or a civil case; juries usually remover the stuff up front and the last things they heard. So, if you want to win your trail, start by making your proper-legal sandwich.
Trial Tips is an ongoing blog series, spreading helpful and informative information from one legal professional to another. Want to read more? Click on the blog links below:
Important Trial Tips – Chapter 5 – Treat the Court Staff Like They Are Your Best Friends
Important Trial Tips Blog – Chapter 4 – Tell a Story That The Jury Can Get
Important Trial Tips Part 3: Try Not to Insult the Judge
Important Lawyer Tips Chapter 2 – Advise Clients and Witnesses on Courtroom Attire
Important Lawyer Tips: Chapter 1