Make an Impression on the Jury

Submitting Video Footage in Courtroom Hearings and Trials

Provided that an attorney can overcome any relevant evidentiary hurdles, the use of video footage as an exhibit in court can be a powerful tool that leaves a lasting impression on the judge and jury. Since the pandemic began last year, many jurisdictions have waived some restrictions on submitting video footage in court. At TrialSpectrum, Inc., our team of litigation consultation and trial technology experts are available to determine the best method for submitting video footage in your case.

Make an Impression on the Jury

Security camera footage, dash cam videos, cell phone videos—all can have a significant impact on the jury and its decision, if used properly. Our experienced team of professionals will go over possible video evidence with you and help you determine how and when to use it in your case. Playing a video at just the right time heightens its impact on your audience.

Further, in today’s world, judges and juries often expect some type of video footage, depending on the type of case. For example, in a motor vehicle accident case, a juror may expect to see traffic camera footage, security camera footage from local businesses, and even recordings from video doorbells. Meeting a jury’s expectations has serious advantages when it is time to deliberate.

The Video Itself is Not Enough

Say you have a video that you believe will be an excellent piece of evidence in your case. However, you must also consider the quality of the video itself. Are you able to hear everything clearly in the video, or is the sound muffled? Can you see everything, or is the footage grainy? You may be able to tell what is going on in the video clip, but it must be clear for the judge and jury, or else the value of the video is miniscule.

At TrialSpectrum, Inc., our team of trial technology experts can examine your video footage and edit it as needed to improve its clarity and quality. If you have been limited by the court to certain portions of video footage, we can edit and splice various clips as well.

Our group of professionals will travel to the venue in which your legal proceeding is being conducted to study its lighting, acoustics, Internet access, and general layout to determine the best way to present your video. We may be able to provide screens or monitors to enhance a video’s display, and we also have audio equipment available for rent that ensures the judge and jury hear your video clearly. When you partner with us, you can rest assured that there will be no technological failures on the date of your proceeding, as we are available to set up equipment, play videos, and provide in-person technical support.

Call TrialSpectrum, Inc. Today to Learn More About Our Services

The team members of TrialSpectrum, Inc., have traveled to numerous venues throughout the United States to help law firms with legal proceedings of all types. Whether you have an hour-long hearing or a multi-day trial, we can help you prepare an effective presentation.

To set up a time to discuss your legal proceeding with TrialSpectrum, Inc., call 1-800-789-0084 or visit www.trialspectrum.com today.

Creating an Effective PowerPoint Presentation for a Legal Proceeding

PowerPoint presentations have long been used in the courtroom to deliver important arguments to a judge and jury. Although this technology is not new, many attorneys still struggle to use the software effectively. Without the right tools, even the strongest legal arguments may be lost on the audience.

The Basics: Know Your Screen

The type of screen on which your presentation will be displayed makes a significant difference in its visual clarity. An older pull-down screen in a courtroom may not be as easy to view as a large high-definition monitor. The lighting in the presentation environment also has a large impact on the screen.

At TrialSpectrum, Inc., our team of professionals carefully studies the location of your presentation, whether it is a large courtroom or a small conference room. This allows us to create a PowerPoint presentation that is tailored to the specific environment in which you will be presenting.

Fonts and Colors

The font type and font colors you select for your PowerPoint presentation determine whether your audience is able to read the information you are delivering. For example, did you know that sans serif fonts are usually easier on the eyes? Capitalizing every word in a block of text is also generally ineffective, and many background colors can cause many viewers’ eyes to strain. At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we know the best types of fonts and font colors to use to ensure your audience is able to read text, regardless of their age or visual acuity.

Do Not Read from the Screen

A PowerPoint presentation is a visual aid. A visual aid should support an attorney’s presentation—not be the entire presentation itself. An attorney should use a PowerPoint presentation to drive home important facts and legal arguments. If the attorney simply stands in front of a judge and jury and reads from a slide, the attorney risks these individuals becoming bored and unimpressed.

At TrialSpectrum, Inc., we will work with you to help you use a PowerPoint presentation as a supplemental tool to strengthen your legal arguments. We will help you practice and will provide tips to you to increase the effectiveness of your delivery.

Plan Your Position

Where you stand during a PowerPoint presentation is important. You want to be able to address your audience while tying your statements to the slides that are displayed. Stand too close to your audience and they may focus on you instead of the PowerPoint. If you stand too far away, the audience may become distracted.

The team of professionals at TrialSpectrum, Inc., will help you determine where you should stand to deliver your message effectively. We will also discuss body language and whether you should move about the room at all during your presentation.

A Variety of Visual Elements

One of the greatest advantages of using PowerPoint software is its ability to include a variety of visual elements into a single presentation. Attorneys are able to incorporate photos, audio clips, videos, graphics, animations, and a variety of other pieces of evidence into a single presentation. Because everyone learns information differently, a PowerPoint presentation is an excellent tool to use to ensure the audience understands both the facts of a case and the laws and regulations that may affect them.

Contact TrialSpectrum, Inc. Today to Begin Creating a PowerPoint Presentation

The team of litigation consultants and trial technology experts at TrialSpectrum, Inc., has the tools you need to elevate your legal arguments. We not only create effective PowerPoint presentations, but we also work with you to ensure you are comfortable using the software. We are available the day of your presentation as well to assist with any technological issues you may have. To learn more about our company and the services we offer, call 800-789-0084 or visit www.trialspectrum.com.

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.