3. Opening Statements
summary of facts according to each party
summary of the evidence that will be presented at the trial
statement regarding what the party hopes to get out of the trial
Objective: To acquaint the judge and jury with the case and
outline what you are going to provide through witness testimony
& the admission of evidence
4. Direct Examination
witness is called to the stand and attorney asks a series of
questions
questions are designed to get the witness to tell a story reciting
what he/she saw , heard, experienced, or knew about the case
Questions: only for facts, not opinions (unless expert in subject)
Objective: To obtain information from favorable witness you call
in order to prove the facts of your case
5. Cross Examination
Purpose; to show judge and jury that a given witness should not be believed because the
witness:
cannot remember the facts
did not give all of the facts in the direct examination
told a different story at some other time
has a reputation for lying
has a special relationship to one of the parties
bears a grudge toward one of the parties
Objective: To make the other side’s witness less believable in the eyes of the trier of fact
