Opening Statement and Court's Preliminary Remarks

• Author: Edward L. Birnbaum/Carl T. Grasso/Justice Ariel E. Belen
• Pages: 627-650

OPENING,

PRELIMINARY REMARKS

21-1

CHAPTER 21

OPENING STATEMENT

AND COURT’S PRELIMINARY REMARKS

I. COURT’S PRELIMINARY REMARKS

§21:01 When Trial Is in Session

§21:02 Court’s Preliminary Remarks

§21:03 Contents

§21:04 Input by Counsel

II. OPENING STATEMENT

A. Procedure

§21:10 Statutory Provision

§21:11 Parties With “Separate Rights”

§21:12 Recording of Opening Statements

B. Signif‌icance and Objectives of Opening Statement

1. General Points

§21:20 Importance of Opening Statement

§21:21 Purpose of Opening Statement

§21:22 Opening Is a Contract With the Jury

§21:23 Openings Give the Jury the Measure of Counsel

2. Plaintiff’s Considerations

§21:30 Keep It Short and Focused

§21:31 Emphasize Liability

§21:32 Dealing With Damages

§21:33 Commercial Cases

3. Defense Considerations

§21:40 Convince Jurors to Keep Open Minds

§21:41 Mention What Plaintiff Omitted

§21:42 Defense Themes: Damages Exaggerated

C. Order of Presentation

§21:50 Party With Burden Opens First

§21:51 The Right to Be First Is Substantial

§21:52 Order When There Are Multiple Parties

D. Timing, Reservation and Waiver

§21:60 Timing

§21:61 Reservation

§21:62 Risk Versus Benef‌it of Reserving

§21:63 Waiver

OPENING,

PRELIMINARY REMARKS

New York Trial Notebook 21-2

E. General Advice

§21:70 Contents

§21:71 Outline Versus Script

§21:72 Length

§21:73 Do Not Needlessly Educate Your Adversary

§21:74 Specif‌ic Dollar Demand

§21:75 Mentioning Witnesses and Evidence

§21:76 Rehearsal

F. Presentation of Opening Statement

§21:90 Order of Presentation

§21:91 Demeanor

§21:92 Style of Opening

§21:93 Defense Counsel’s Demeanor

§21:94 Use of Humor

§21:95 Maintain Eye Contact

§21:96 Use the Courtroom

§21:97 Introduction

§21:98 Introduce Themes

§21:99 The “Magic Words”

§21:100 Plaintiff ’s Presentation

§21:101 Raise Weaknesses

§21:102 Defense Presentation

§21:103 Preparation: Key to Flexibility

§21:104 Do Not Repeat Needlessly

§21:105 Capitalize on Plaintiff ’s Omissions

§21:106 Use of Visual Aids

§21:107 Concluding the Opening

G. Objections

§21:120 In General

§21:121 Grounds for Objection

§21:122 Object if Excluded Evidence Is Mentioned

H. Improper Comments in Opening

§21:130 In General

§21:131 Improper Remark: Seeking Release

§21:132 Improper Remark: Defendant’s Insurance

§21:133 Improper Remark: Excluded Evidence

§21:134 Improper Remarks: Misleading Statements

§21:135 Improper Remarks: Interpreting the Law

I. Dismissal Af ter Opening Statement

§21:140 Grounds

§21:141 Based on Admissions [CPLR 4401]

§21:142 Opening Need Not State Prima Facie Case

§21:143 Plaintiff’s Allegations Deemed True

§21:144 Case Examples

§21:145 Dismissal of Defenses on Opening