The Clemens Trial Begins: Let's Get Technical
Finally, after about a week of jury selection, a jury has been chosen to serve in the case of the United States of America v. Roger Clemens. According to the court, opening statements are to begin today.
Opening statements, unlike closing arguments, are not supposed to be about fireworks. An opening statement is designed to be a calmly delivered road map of the evidence an attorney expects the jury to hear.
Opening statements rarely win cases but they can lost them. If a lawyer tells a jury about the evidence that he expects them to hear and it doesn't happen, disaster can strike. Juries often punish lawyers (and their clients) who don't keep their promises and don't deliver the goods.
So when you open, be careful that you don't over-promise and that your word is good.
My name is Christopher Fusco. I am the managing partner of Callahan & Fusco, LLC with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.