Civil & Criminal Bench & Jury Trial Course
This course was designed to provide all of the major aspects involved in bench and jury trials for both civil and criminal matters.
The Anatomy of A Jury Trial
As you can see from the curriculum, this course takes you from trial preparation through jury selection, opening statements, direct and cross examination, introducing exhibits, motions for directed verdict, using courtroom technology, to closing arguments, and more.
Selecting A Jury
There is a true science when it comes to selecting a jury. It involves developing a juror profile, then general and individual questions, This is followed by "strikes for cause" and "peremptory strikes". You are essentially attempting to remove prospective jurors who may be harmful to your case.
Opening Statements & Closing Arguments
In both civil and criminal jury trials, your opening statement gives you the opportunity to introduce the jurors to what you believe the evidence will be in your case. By telling your story to the jurors, it paints a lasting impression of your theory of the case.
Direct & Cross Examinations
Using open-ended questions during direct examination and leading, closed-ended questions on cross examination, you can obtain the evidence you need to prove your case. And by impeaching witnesses, you can attack the credibility of the witness, all while avoiding asking questions that you don't already know the answer to.
Example Curriculum
- Interrogatories, Social Media & The Motion to Compel (16:43)
- Request for Production of Documents & Notice To Produce (3:19)
- Request For Admissions (2:40)
- Third Party Discovery (2:28)
- Depositions (7:26)
- Consolidated Discovery Motions (1:38)
- Open Records Request (4:15)
- Motion for Summary Judgment (1:41)
- Bench Trial versus Jury Trial (6:00)
- Case Plan (3:57)
- Mediation & Pre-Trial Conferences (5:54)
- Plea Negotiations (criminal only) (8:29)
- Consolidated Pre-Trial Order (12:01)
- Trial Notebook (4:53)
- Decision Whether to Testify - Placing Character Into Evidence (4:40)
- Jury Charges, Voir Dire (Jury Selection), Jury Strikes (10:27)
Trial Strategies
"The Conversation" reported in 2017 that millions try to navigate courts without a Lawyer every year. "People without Lawyers are mistreated in the American legal system," they reported, citing retired Judge Richard A. Posner.
Most people (even Lawyers who are not Trial Attorneys) don't know the procedure or what to expect in bench and jury trials.
This course addresses that problem by laying out the details involved in preparing for trial, from trial preparation, selecting a jury, examining witnesses, introducing exhibits, to closing arguments, whether Plaintiff or Defendant in civil and criminal trials.
