OPENING STATEMENT (Coaching a High School Mock Trial Team)

INTRODUCE THE ENTIRE TEAM BEFORE BEGINNING. TEACH YOUR TEAM TO STAND AND REMAIN STANDING AS EACH TEAM MEMBER PRESENTS HIMSELF OR HERSELF. FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER!

PLAINTIFF/PROSECUTION PRESENTS THEIR OPENING FIRST. DEFENSE PRESENTS OPENING SECOND OR AFTER THE PLAINTIFF/PROSECUTION RESTS.
THE OPENING IS CRITICAL. IT SETS A TONE FOR YOUR TEAM. YOU WANT TO CHOOSE ONE OF YOUR STRONGEST TEAM MEMBERS. SOMEONE WITH COURAGE AND CONFIDENCE. I MAKE THIS PERSON THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE TEAM WHEN ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ARISE.
GOAL IS TO MAP OUT YOUR CASE IN A STORY
TELL A STORY FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE

DO NOT ARGUE!
EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED IN A STORY FORM IN A WAY THAT IS EASY TO FOLLOW AND INTERESTING.
USE FUTURE TENSE. "THE EVIDENCE WILL SHOW..."
USE STRONG POWERFUL LANGUAGE. "WE WILL PROVE...." VS. "WE WILL TRY TO...."
TELL WHAT WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE YOU WILL USE TO PROVE YOUR STORY.
STATE THAT YOU WILL MEET YOUR BURDEN OF PROOF IF YOU ARE THE PLAINTIFF/PROSECUTION.
IF YOU ARE THE DEFENSE, MAKE A BIG ISSUE THAT AN INDICTMENT OR ACCUSATION DOES NOT MEAN A PERSON IS GUILTY.
IN A CRIMINAL CASE, THE DEFENDANT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.
DEFENSE SHOULD MAKE A BIG ISSUE ABOUT THE BIG BURDEN THE PROSECUTION HAS IN A CRIMINAL CASE.
IN A CIVIL CASE, THE DEFENSE SHOULD REMIND THE COURT THAT THE PLAINTIFF HAS THE BURDEN OF PROOF AND MUST TIP THE SCALES OF JUSTICE IN THEIR FAVOR.