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Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS DEMONSTRATIVE
EVIDENCE?
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. |

Click to Enlarge Timeline |
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.
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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.
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. |
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Click to Enlarge
Medical Illustration |
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.
Conclusion
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.
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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.
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