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Nuts and Bolts of Civil Litigation in NJ

2h 17m

Created on February 22, 2015

Beginner

Overview

Even the most experienced trial lawyers had to try their first case. Some of them had prior experience “second chairing” other trial lawyers. Others have not had that experience and need a basic guide to the way cases are tried. 

 

The basic structure of trials is the same in all courts. Parties have the right to open and close, present witnesses and cross examine other parties’ witnesses. However, beyond the basics, there are differences from court to court and judge to judge. Trial counsel can only learn many of those differences through actual trial experience in different locations and before different judges.

 

The goal of this course is to make the new trial attorney aware of the practices and procedures that he or she will encounter after all pre trial discovery is complete and the case is actually ready for trial. Procedures vary from court to court in the way cases are assigned to judges for trial, the facilities that courts have available to assist an attorney in presenting evidence to the jury and the manner by which a record of the proceedings is made. The attorney must be aware of all the factors that go into a successful presentation. 

 

Generally, the discussion addresses the manner of trying a case to a jury, but the presentation of the evidence in a bench trial is also considered. 

 

Learning Objectives:

I.     Comprehend how a civil trial is conducted

II.    Understand issues that concern jury selection, opening and closing statements, the differences in conducting direct and cross examinations and post trial motions

III.   Avoid being completely surprised at anything that happens in the court room



This course originally appeared as a part of our February 2015 Bridge the Gap Event.

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