What is an Opening Statement?
An Opening Statement is an “Outline of anticipated proof. Its purpose is to advise the jury of facts relied upon and of issues involved, and to give jury a general picture of the facts and the situations so that jury will be able to understand the evidence.” (Black’s Law Dictionary 1243. 4th Ed. Rev. 1968)
An opening statement is an important part of the trial process, as it is a lawyers’s first opportunity to speak to the jury. Lawyers use opening statements to outline the major facts and evidence for the judge and jury, and state what they and their opponents intend to prove at trial. An effective opening statement makes facts clear for the court, creates a narrative that makes the speaking attorney’s side of the case seem favorable, and serves as a roadmap for how the trial may progress. An opening statement should be persuasive, but not argumentative about the facts. That is reserved for the evidence coming out throughout the trial and closing arguments.
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