Although I have never been on the cutting edge of technology, I have come to realize the importance of technology when trying cases.
If you try a commercial case before a jury you run the real risk of losing juror interest. The use of technology in the form of placing on a television or projection screen copies of exhibits that have been admitted into evidence is very helpful to presenting your case and keeping the jurors interested.
Equally important are PowerPoint presentations during closing arguments. There is a twofold benefit to PowerPoint presentations.
- Placing a few key words in the form of an interesting slide supplemented with copies of portions of the exhibits that you are referring to is very helpful in keeping the jury engaged and interested.
- The slides can serve as bullet points in structuring your closing argument providing reminders of what you need to speak about. Most lawyers use the traditional method of poster-boards and repetition during closing arguments to make their points. Although this is valuable, particularly when people do not understand the subject matter, it has its obvious pitfalls and limitations.
By placing statements or copies of portions of exhibits on a television screen in front of the jury you are able to accomplish what repetition does which is to drill a key point into the jurors' minds. You can avoid repetition, which can put off some jurors in favor of a visual depiction that supports your position. In either event, the cost of employing a PowerPoint presentation or projecting copies of exhibits onto a television or screen is no longer prohibitive and the technology is no longer exotic.
PowerPoint presentations should be a standard tool in jury trials.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
