Section 8.1 Purpose and Function

• Library: Civil Trial Practice 2015 Supp

I. (§8.1) Purpose and Function

It has often been stated in one way or another that the primary purpose of the opening statement is “to inform the judge and the jury in a general way of the nature of the action so as to enable them to understand the case and to appreciate the significance of the evidence as it is presented.” Hays v. Mo. Pac. R.R. Co., 304 S.W.2d 800, 804 (Mo. 1957).

MAI 2.01 [2002 Revision], which must be read to every jury immediately after it has been sworn, says in part:

The trial may...