What Should Be Printed on Trial Exhibit Boards?

As courts throughout the United States begin to open again and conduct in-person hearings and trials, it is important for attorneys to prepare thoroughly and refresh their oral advocacy skills. Many attorneys focus on digital visual aids such as PowerPoint presentations and animations, but trial exhibit boards continue to serve a valuable purpose in the courtroom.

What Should Be Printed on Trial Exhibit Boards?

A number of factors impact what content should be printed onto a trial exhibit board. For example, in a personal injury claim, photos of injuries may be powerful. In breach of contract cases, printing clauses from a contract or quotations from a party may have a significant impact on the jury.

At TrialSpectrum, Inc., our team of litigation consultants and trial technology professionals will work with you to create the most effective trial exhibit board for your legal proceeding. We apply various persuasive techniques to ensure that your arguments and exhibits will have the intended effect on your specific audience.

Trial Exhibit Boards Stay Put to Deliver a Powerful Message

One of the biggest advantages to using trial exhibit boards is that they are stationary. You can have your case theme highlighted on a trial exhibit board and place it where the jury can easily refer to it. As you question witnesses, present evidence, and make your arguments, the jury will be reminded of the big picture as they connect your case to the theme presented on the trial exhibit board.

Although using animations and PowerPoint presentations is certainly effective, for many jurors, the argument is lost if there are too many slides or if the information is presented too quickly. Using a trial exhibit board allows the jury to focus on the attorney’s arguments and absorb the information that is being presented.

Know Your Audience: Many Jurors Prefer Simpler Presentations

Many jurors, particularly those who are older, easily become overwhelmed by fancy animations, videos, and audio clips. They may struggle to keep up with the points the attorney is arguing, or they may find these types of visual aids distracting. A simple trial exhibit board that is easy to see and easy to read is often a much better approach to use for these jurors.

For many jurors, less is more.

How TrialSpectrum, Inc., Can Help Your Law Firm

At TrialSpectrum, Inc., our team of professional litigation consultants and trial technology specialists are prepared to meet with you to discuss your case. We are able to assist with both courtroom hearings and out-of-court proceedings, such as arbitration and mediation.

Unlike many litigation consulting and trial technology companies, TrialSpectrum, Inc., conducts all of its printing services in-house. This allows us to maintain an excellent standard of quality, keep costs down for our clients, and expedite the printing process. We carefully package the materials for your presentation so that they are not damaged during transport, and we are even available to help you set up and break down your presentation materials on the date of your event.

To ensure that your audience is able to easily view your trial exhibit board, we use foam core boards that are laminated with a sheen-free finish. Your board will be viewed easily from any angle.

We are able to print a variety of sizes of exhibit boards, ranging from 18 x 24 inches to 48 x 96 inches.

Call TrialSpectrum, Inc. Today to Discuss Your Case

The team at TrialSpectrum, Inc., has assisted attorneys and law firms throughout the United States in a variety of legal claims. To schedule a free consultation to learn about our company and the products we offer, call 800-789-0084 or visit www.trialspectrum.com.

Why Use Visual Aids in the Courtroom?

During a trial, hearing, or other legal proceeding, many attorneys seem to overlook the importance and value of using visual aids in the courtroom. Some attorneys may think that visual aids such as PowerPoint presentations, animations, and boards are unnecessary to make their arguments. They may also be concerned—especially if a hearing is scheduled with short notice—that preparing visual aids cuts into valuable time that could be used to prepare arguments and witnesses.

However, using visual aids adds significant value to an attorney’s arguments. At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we know that putting together a PowerPoint presentation or printing large exhibits can seem daunting. We are a full-service litigation consultation and trial technology company and not only prepare visual aids for our clients, but also help them determine which visual aids are most effective for the arguments they would like to make.

Visual Aids Bring a Case to Life

When someone tells a story, it may not always be easy to follow. However, add in some photos, videos, or even a diagram, and suddenly your statements may “click” with your audience. In especially complex matters, such as medical malpractice claims, visual aids often help the jury piece together what happened in the body. For example, explaining the impact that an injury had on a medical malpractice victim can be persuasive, but adding in a video that shows the difficulty the victim has completing daily activities is much more powerful.

Visual Aids Transfer Easily to Remote Proceedings

For much of the past year, many courtroom proceedings have been virtual or remote in nature. Whether your hearing or trial is in a physical courtroom or must be conducted online, the visual aids you prepare will be useful. Photographs, videos, charts, and other such tools are all easy to display with virtual meeting software. At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we are prepared to assist you with both virtual and in-person proceedings.

Individuals Have Different Learning Styles

Judges and jurors all have different learning styles. Some individuals learn by listening, others learn by hands-on experiences, and many learn by observing. Visual aids are appealing to many judges and jurors because they are able to appeal to a variety of learning styles. Visual aids may use sound clips (such as in videos, animations, and other types of presentations) to amplify their impact on the audience.

Visual Aids Help Attorneys Solidify Their Arguments

When attorneys use visual aids in their presentations, they have an opportunity to strengthen their arguments even more. How? Visual aids help attorneys learn new concepts as well. Before taking a certain type of case, an attorney is likely unfamiliar with specific engineering concepts or a complex injury claim. These aids help the attorney gain a full understanding of the facts of the case so that the attorney can make legal arguments that are compelling. When an attorney appears knowledgeable and confident in front of the jury, the jury finds the attorney’s arguments much harder to dismiss.

The Jury Expects It

In today’s legal world, judges and jurors alike often expect some type of visual aid as they observe a legal proceeding. Thanks to an endless number of shows on television that involve legal-themed elements, many individuals may be disappointed if they do not at least get to look at a few pictures during a trial. Managing juror expectations is one of the most important aspects of a good legal argument. At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we can help create powerful visual aids that impress the jury.

To Learn More About Our Services, Contact Us Today

At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we have partnered with law firms throughout the country in a variety of case types. Whether you have a multi-week trial coming up or need assistance with a mediation, we can provide the tools you need to effectively argue your case. To schedule a free consultation with our team to learn about our services, call 800-789-0084 or visit www.trialspectrum.com.

Selecting the Best Expert Witness for Your Case

Expert witnesses often add a significant amount of value to a case. Expert witnesses help the jury understand complex issues, such as medical errors or engineering practices, that the average layperson does not comprehend. When the jurors have a clear understanding of a case, they may be willing to add tens of thousands of dollars to a verdict.

However, selecting the proper expert witness is crucial for any case, whether it involves medical malpractice, insurance matters, or construction defects. An expert with numerous qualifications and degrees will add little value to a case if that expert cannot effectively communicate with the jury. How do you know if your expert will be an effective witness?

The Expert Witness’s Experience in the Courtroom

Testifying in a case involves much more than simply telling the jury about a subject matter. An expert witness must effectively answer questions from opposing counsel and must appear credible to the jury. If the jury does not believe the expert is being truthful and transparent, the jury will likely dismiss the expert’s testimony.

Expert witnesses who have previously testified in a variety of legal proceedings often make good candidates for upcoming trials. These individuals are experienced in being cross-examined and understand the trial process. They understand that the facts of the case must match relevant laws and regulations. Of course, expert witnesses just breaking into offering their testimony at trial may be able to offer fresh perspectives to a jury.

At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we are able to work with the expert to ensure he or she is thoroughly prepared for your trial.

Communication, Communication, Communication

How effectively does the expert explain complex ideas? Does the expert speak clearly? Is the expert engaging and interesting? Many experts who look remarkable on paper are woefully ineffective in front of a jury. As we prepare for your trial, we want to select an expert who keeps the jury’s attention, breaks complex concepts down into simpler terms, and refutes the positions of the opposing party.

Allow Plenty of Time to Find an Expert

As attorneys know, it takes many months or longer for a case to be scheduled for trial. There are numerous hurdles the parties must overcome before a court places a trial on the docket. However, the sooner you begin your search for the perfect expert witness, the better. Researching credentials, scheduling meetings (including virtual meetings), and preparing testimony all take weeks. In addition, depositions, hearings, and, of course, the trial date must all be coordinated with the expert’s schedule.

At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we are prepared to begin working on your case. We will go over, in detail, your goals for your client and provide a roadmap as to how we can help you accomplish these goals. In addition, we are also able to help you prepare effective arguments and create exhibits for you to use in the courtroom. We have a variety of technology services available for your benefit as well.

To Learn More About TrialSpectrum, Inc., Contact Us Today

At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we provide high quality litigation consultation and trial technology services to firms throughout the country. To schedule a free consultation with our team to learn more about the services we provide, call 800-789-0084 or visit www.trialspectrum.com today.