YOU NEED TO ONLY FOCUS ON THE PROSECUTING SIDE OF THE CASE AND YOU ARE ACTING AS A TRIAL CONSULTANT FOR THE PROSECUTING SIDE.
The presentation should include:
a. Background information on the case (who are the involved parties, what was the crime, significant other details)
b. What would you have done as a consultant on this case and why you would have done those things? This requires that you know what consultants do. You should be citing the textbook and other sources, such as journal articles, information from professional organizations, in addition to what you may find on the websites for trial consultation companies provided below. By using those web sources, you will be able to identify specific tasks/roles for you in your case and describe specific recommendations for use of those tasks. Keep in mind that you may not suggest illegal actions, for example, you may not suggest eliminating all women during jury selection.
c. You might include suggestions to the attorney for your side of what to include in an *opening statement*. Remember that opening statements are a great opportunity for attorneys to build a case theme and create a schema in the minds of the jurors. If you do this, really try to imagine that the words you choose may help your jury decide guilt or innocence – so make each one as powerful as you can.
d. Some examples of good trial consultation websites include the following – take a look at a couple of such sites and see what services they offer so that you know what to think about – however, you must use additional information, not just these:
www.decisionquest.com/
e. You do not need a generic/general slide about what trial consultation is as everyone would be pretty much saying the same thing on those. You also do not need a ‘references’ slide to be included.
