Overview
Cheong, Denove, Rowell &
Bennett are on the cutting edge of presenting compelling demonstrative
evidence.Demonstrative evidence is a tool of persuasion.
It clarifies and simplifies points.
It helps the jury understand the issues
raised at trial. Demonstrative evidence can be as simple as a word written on butcher paper in front of a jury or as elaborate as
a three dimensional
animation.
Types
of Demonstrative Evidence
The following are
examples of demonstrative evidence we created
for our clients’ cases.
At Cheong, Denove, Rowell
& Bennett
we
believe the more the jury sees,
the
better they understand.
| |
Accident Reconstruction Boards
Expert testimony can be
confusing. To clarify the technical testimony, boards that visually
explain the expert’s opinions are often useful. On occasion, multiple
boards are used to explain different aspects of the accident or the
accident avoidance sequence.
Click here to see an example of an Accident
Reconstruction Board.
Celebration of Life Videos
When someone dies, he or she leaves behind loved ones who
continue to suffer a loss. To enable the jury to understand
who the decedent was and how much he or she meant to the
family left behind, that person’s story must be told. To
assist the jury in getting to know the decedent,
photographs, letters, cards and home videos can be
collected, edited and videotaped to show the jury.
Closing Argument
Boards
After the evidence has been presented to the jury,
the attorney has the right to give closing argument.
Some trials are over in days, while others may go on
for months
Using boards to illustrate the points the attorney is
making during closing will help the jury understand
the points. Click here to see examples of Closing Argument
Boards
Computer Animation
If one picture is worth a thousand words, a
computer animation can tell the entire story. Computer animations can allow the jury to see
the accident through the eyes of the plaintiff, the defendant or a third
person.
Click here to see
an example of a Computer Animation.
Day in The Life Video
Although people can intellectually understand
the effects of crippling injuries, a day in the life video can allow the jury
to see what a person with those injuries has to endure 24 hours a day.
Activities of daily living that we take for granted can be a struggle for
someone with catastrophic injury. The jury needs to understand the full extent
of the plaintiff’s injuries in order to award the compensation the plaintiff
deserves. |
Click to Enlarge
Click to Enlarge
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Enlargements
In any case, even those with thousands of exhibits, there may be
three or four documents that are the key to success. In these
few documents, the crucial information may be limited to a few
words or sentences. Highlighting and enlarging these points will
allow the jury to concentrate on what is important.
Click here to see examples of Enlargements.
Excerpts
A document or a deposition or trial transcript may contain too
much information. Taking excerpts from lengthy documents and
displaying that to the jury will help them focus on the
important information.
Click here to see examples of Excerpts.
Graphs and Charts 
Graphs and charts can assist the jury in making sense out of
testimony or voluminous documents. Graphs can often tell the
story much better than the most eloquent speaker. Charts can
also help the jury focus on the important issues in a case.
Click here to see examples of Graphs and Charts
Jury Instructions
At the end of the trial the Judge
will read a number of instructions to the jury. It can take as
little as 15 minutes or as much as an hour for the Judge to read
to the jury the law they must follow. Enlarging the important
Jury Instructions and using them during Closing Argument is an
effective way to demonstrate why the jury should vote in favor
of the client.
Click here to see an example of a Jury Instruction that was
enlarged for a jury trial
Marking Pen and Butcher
Paper
Sometimes less is
more. A simple line drawing can explain what happened. A simple
word written on the board can often sum up the motive behind a
defendant’s action.
Click here to see an example of Marking Pen on Butcher Paper
How one
displays demonstrative evidence is dependant upon the
evidence one wishes to introduce and the physical
limitations of the courtroom. One or more easels can be
placed in the courtroom to display demonstrative evidence
boards. Demonstrative evidence can also be displayed on
projection screens or television monitors using PowerPoint, Elmo, DVD or video.
Considerable care should go into deciding the
type of demonstrative evidence to use, as well as the information to display.
Too much information can confuse the jury. Too much demonstrative evidence can
diminish its effectiveness. Demonstrative evidence that isn’t accurate is
worse than no evidence at all.
Cheong, Denove, Rowell & Bennett
has the extensive resources to handle the most
complex legal matters, yet is small enough to
offer individualized service to our client's on
their insurance bad faith cases.
At
Cheong, Denove, Rowell & Bennett we believe the
more you know, the better choice you will make.
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The
information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it
intended to be, legal advice. This web site is designed for
general information only. The information presented at this
site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor
the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.
