1.Opening+Statement

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 * INTRODUCE THE ENTIRE TEAM BEFORE BEGINNING. TEACH YOUR TEAM TO STAND AND REMAIN STANDING AS EACH TEAM MEMBER PRESENTS HIMSELF OR HERSELF. FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER!
 * PLAINTIFF/PROSECUTION PRESENTS THEIR OPENING FIRST. DEFENSE PRESENTS OPENING SECOND OR AFTER THE PLAINTIFF/PROSECUTION RESTS.
 * THE OPENING IS CRITICAL. IT SETS A TONE FOR YOUR TEAM. YOU WANT TO CHOOSE ONE OF YOUR STRONGEST TEAM MEMBERS. SOMEONE WITH COURAGE AND CONFIDENCE. I MAKE THIS PERSON THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE TEAM WHEN ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ARISE.
 * GOAL IS TO MAP OUT YOUR CASE IN A STORY
 * TELL A STORY FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE
 * DO NOT ARGUE!
 * EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED IN A STORY FORM IN A WAY THAT IS EASY TO FOLLOW AND INTERESTING.
 * USE FUTURE TENSE. "THE EVIDENCE WILL SHOW..."
 * USE STRONG POWERFUL LANGUAGE. "WE WILL PROVE...." VS. "WE WILL TRY TO...."
 * TELL WHAT WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE YOU WILL USE TO PROVE YOUR STORY.
 * STATE THAT YOU WILL MEET YOUR BURDEN OF PROOF IF YOU ARE THE PLAINTIFF/PROSECTION.
 * iF YOU ARE THE DEFENSE, MAKE A BIG ISSUE THAT AN INDICTMENT OR ACCUSATION DOES NOT MEAN A PERSON IS GUILTY.
 * IN A CRIMINAL CASE, THE DEFENDANT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.
 * DEFENSE SHOULD MAKE A BIG ISSUE ABOUT THE BIG BURDEN THE PROSECUTION HAS IN A CRIMINAL CASE.
 * IN A CIVIL CASE, THE DEFENSE SHOULD REMIND THE COURT THAT THE PLAINTIFF HAS THE BURDEN OF PROOF AND MUST TIP THE SCALES OF JUSTICE IN THEIR FAVOR.