Trial Procedures and the Courtroom
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Transcript of Trial Procedures and the Courtroom
Trial Procedures and the Courtroom
• Vary State by State– State statutory requirements
• Federal statues – cases at federal level
Pleadings
• Summons & complaint• Include all allegations of each party
to a lawsuit• Filed with court• Question law and fact– Law = judge decides– Fact = trial decides
Summons and Complaint
• Plaintiff: person who initiates an action – files complaint
• Defendant: person with complaint filed against them
• May be multiple plaintiff and defendants
Summons and Complaint
• Action starts – summons is filed • Summons – Defendant is served
• Complaint– ID’s parties– States cause of action– Demands for damages
Answer
• After complaint – response required of the defendant– Document “The Answer”– State defense: admit or deny– Must respond within set amount of
time
Bill of Particulars
• Initial complaint may provide little information
• Defense attorney request additional information
Discovery of Evidence
• Process of investigating the facts before a trial
• Four Objectives
Discovery of Evidence
• 1) Obtain evidence that might not be obtainable at the time of trial
• 2) Isolate and narrow the issues for trial
Discovery of Evidence
• 3) Gather knowledge of the existence of additional evidence that may be admissible at trial
• 4) Obtain leads to enable the discovering party to gather further evidence
Discovery of Evidence
• Discover and examine witnesses– EBT- examination before trial– Oral testimony– Cross examination– Deposition – permanent record of
case
Preparation of witnesses
• Review of pertinent records• Helpful guidelines p 222
The Court
• In the court that has jurisdiction• Judge is responsible for conduct,
must be fair to both parties • Determines if evidence is
admissible• Maintains order
The Jury
• Trial by jury – constitutional right– Can waive this right– Jury selected through jury list– 12 jurors– Counsel for both parties can question
jurors • Bias, prejudicial thinking….
The Jury
• Once selected– Sworn in to try the case– Makes determination of the facts that
have occurred– Determines the extent of damages
Subpoenas
• Legal order requiring the appearance of a person/documents to a court
• Subpoena ad testificandum- orders appearance of a person– Contempt of court if you do not show
Subpoenas
• Subpoena duces tecum – command to bring records and documents as evidence– Served to the person who can
produce items
Opening Statements
• Plantiff’s attorney- prove wrongdoing of defendant– Shell of the case
• Defense attorney- indicate position of defendant and points of plantiff’s case in refute
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=701EXbmG6F8&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active
Burden of Proof
• Plantiff’s attorney must show that the defendant violated a legal duty by not following an acceptable standard of care– Plantiff suffered injury due to
defendant’s breach
Evidence
• Facts proved or disproved during a lawsuit
• To be admitted– Must be competent, relevant
Direct Evidence
• Proof offered through direct testimony
• Jury– Receive testimony– Draw conclusions
Demonstrative Evidence
• Evidence furnished by things themselves– Most trustworthy and preferred type
of evidence– Consists of tangible objects– Admissible if relevant
Demonstrative Evidence
• Not admissible– If prejudice, mislead, confuse, offend,
inflame, or arouse sympathy or passion of the jury
• Multiple forms of demonstrative evidence
Documentary Evidence
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jQP0Y2T2OQ&feature=relmfu&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active
• Written evidence capable of making a truthful statement– Drug inserts, birth certificates…
• Authentic• Original of a document must be
produced
Examination of Witnesses
• Each witness takes an oath
• Examined by Plantiff and cross-examined by the defense autorney
Expert Witness
• For technical questions, the opinion of an expert is necessary– Training, experience, special
qualifications– Give an opinion concerning
hypothetical questions– Show extent or lack of damages to
plaintiff– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_
o9D8xDGt4&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active
Defense of One’s Action
• Defendant’s case is presented to discredit the plaintiff’s case of action & prevent recovery of damages– Assumption of risks, comparative
negligence, contributory negligence, good Samaritan law, ignorance of fact….
Assumption of Risk
• Knowing that a danger exists and voluntarily accepting the risk by exposing oneself– Show plaintiff given consent– Relieving the defendant
Comparative Negligence
• Each party is responsible for a proportional share of any damages
Contributory Negligence
• Any lack of ordinary care on the part of the person injured combined with negligent act of another = injury
• Person does not exercise reasonable care for his or her own safety
Good Samaritan Laws
• Relieves persons from liability in certain emergency situations
• Delineates the scope of immunity for those persons eligible under the law
Ignorance of the Law & Unintentional wrongs
• Defendant cannot use ignorance of law to excuse his negligent actions
• Must learn & understand the potential consequences of your actions in health care setting
Statute of Limitations
• Time constraints that restrict the period of time after an injury occurs during which a legal action must commence– When injury occurs– When person discovers the injury
Closing Statements
• Attorneys opportunity to summarize for the jury
• Point out opponent’s faults• Emphasize their strong points
Judge’s Charge to the Jury
• Defines the responsibility of the jury, describes the applicable law, and advises the jury of the alternatives available to it.
Jury Deliberation
• Jury deliberates as to whether or not the defendant is liable
• Returns to courtroom to deliver verdict
Jury Deliberation
• Judge can over rule• New trial may be ordered• Losing party can motion for a new
trial
Damages
• Award of money to be paid to a person as compensation for loss or injury
• Emotional distress, physical pain & suffering, economic loss