The goal of our private trials is to help our clients reach an out-of-court agreement that is fair to both sides. Here is how it works.
We usually hire 18 “regular” citizens from the county where the case has been filed to serve on the jury. Everyone who is interviewed and hired will actually serve—we don’t ask you to show up and then excuse you or bump you!
We begin the trial early with an introduction to the process. We layout the day’s schedule for you, and explain the electronic dials you will use to respond to the case as it unfolds for you.
A lawyer for each party then makes an Opening Argument. When they finish we put some questions on an overhead screen. You will use your own electronic dial to vote on your favorite answer to each question. We will usually then take a few minutes to talk to you about your impressions of the Opening Arguments.
Next the plaintiffs (the people who started the lawsuit) present their testimony and evidence. The other side gets to cross-examine any witnesses who testify live. After the plaintiffs rest, we again will ask the jurors for your impressions.
Then the defendants get the same opportunity to present the main points of their case. And we again will ask for your impressions of the defense case.
Toward the end of the day we will split our group of jurors into two or three smaller groups. We put each small group into a breakout room, where they will deliberate to a Verdict.
The entire process is videotaped. This allows our clients to not only see the results, but to also understand WHY the jury came up with the Verdicts they did. This is crucial. It gives our clients a far better sense of justice than they get in the public court system, where a Verdict is typically just announced, with no explanation whatsoever.