Who makes the opening statement in a court case?
Can anyone please help me out here. My group is enacting a court case for a project of ours and we want our performance to be as realistic as possible.
Please could you tell us what happens after the judge enters the courtroom and which side, the prosecutor or the defense, makes the opening statement?
Answers:
The prosecution starts. Then they question their witnesses and enter in evidence. The defense can cross examine each witness at this time or object to the form of the prosecuter's questions if they are improper. Then the plaintiff rests and the defense does the same thing (questions their witnesses etc.). Then Defense rests and the Plaintiff makes closing arguements, the defense then makes closing arguements and the plaintiff is allowed a rebuttal if neccessary. After that is done they give jury instructions to the jury if there is one and they decide the verdict...or the judge decides if it is a bench trial. Mock trials are fun. Good luck!
The one who speaks first.
The prosecutor makes the first opening statement, followed by the defense.
same with closing statement, except the prosecutor gets the 'last word' if he/she so chooses after the defense closes. The defense cannot add to his/bher one and only closing statement.
In most cases and jurisdictions, the prosecution/plaintiff gets to make the opening statement first, and then the defense gets its turn. However, in many jurisdictions, the defense can request that it's opening statement be made at the beginning of the presentation of its case, not right after the the prosecution makes its opening statement.
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