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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Personal Injury Glossary Terms
This glossary provides a quick-access resource for looking up definitions of terms you will likely encounter while seeking compensation.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W
A
Accident Report — A detailed official record of an incident created on-site by an authority figure such as a police officer or hospital staff member.
Act of God — An unforeseen event caused by natural forces without human involvement that couldn’t have been prevented with reasonable care, […]
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Delaware Truck Accident Lawyers
If You Have Been Involved in a Truck Accident in Delaware, Call Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Today
A crash with a truck is no ordinary event. A truck accident can change your life. After seeking medical care, one of the first things you should do is to consult an experienced truck accident lawyer who will inform you of your rights and take any steps necessary to ensure the transportation and insurance companies won’t avoid responsibility. Their legal team will be ready to deny fault for your injuries – you need someone on your side to represent you.
The consultation with our attorneys is free, and we don’t collect any payment for our services unless we win your case in the form of a settlement or jury verdict. To learn more about what it means to have a Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Truck Accident lawyer representing you, […]
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