If a legal team solely relies on verbal testimony to get the message of an argument across then it is up to the audience to use their own visual imagination as they piece together the sequence of events. Additionally, jurors are likely to forget critical key points you may be trying to make. Trial graphics are an extremely helpful tool that can fill in the gaps and supply the visual interpretation of a case so that there is no room for misinterpretation. Once upon a time, lawyers would draw pictures and sketches on a whiteboard in an effort to present information to jurors during a trial. While this method helps to provide supplemental context to a presentation, in today’s modern age there are much better ways to create and share trial graphics with an audience. A lawyer is not a professional artist, and it’s important that any illustrations or graphics that are necessary to a case are created in a way to make them accurate, easy to understand and pleasing to look at. Whenever trial graphics are being presented in court the details are extremely important – not only for accuracy but also for realism. If a visual lacks detail, then it will fail to deliver the message and can cause the jury to be confused.
Did you know that there are studies and data to show how people’s brains process images up to 60 times faster than they do words? We digest information in different ways, and we learn in different ways too – some of us are better at listening to a lecture, while others do better when graphs, charts and illustrations are provided to explain an idea. The best way to ensure that a jury fully and accurately understands an argument, especially if there are concepts that may be difficult to comprehend, is to present an attention-grabbing verbal presentation paired with trial graphics to help visually support the argument and keep them engaged.
Trial graphics, whether it is a sequence of stills or moving animation, are very good at piecing together information in a way that highlights the point to be made. This also means that any irrelevant information can easily be taken out in order to keep the jurors focused throughout the presentation. While basic slides with bullet points can be helpful in providing a summary, there are various ways to create more intriguing trial graphics that can assist in a case. These can include:
- Timelines that outline the events prior to, during and after a situation
- Document summaries
- Infographics with various data points and information
- Graphs and charts
- Diagrams that show who the key players in a case are
- Maps with notes and explanations
- Animations, images, illustrations, videos and more
Trial graphics can also utilize various symbols and images as a highly effective way to communicate and further describe a specific concept. Symbols are useful in helping a jury interpret information that may be unfamiliar, and they can also simplify data in a way that can be understood more easily than with words alone. It’s important to use different forms of communication when presenting your case to a jury in an effort to increase their understanding. This also means that it’s important to pay attention to the jury and ensure that you have their attention, that they don’t look confused and that they are engaged in your presentation. Our team can help you determine the types of trial graphics and communication tools to use in your case, and when the best time to use them would be.
If you are working on a case that is complicated, or the information isn’t exactly straightforward, it could be very beneficial to work with a graphics specialist early on. Our team at Courtroom Animation can take the time to fully understand the case, do the necessary research to ensure any and all materials are accurate and create a graphic presentation that will leave a significant and lasting impression on a jury. Using trial graphics during a case allows a legal team to reach jurors intellectually by presenting information and explaining it, and also emotionally by grabbing and retaining their attention with aesthetically pleasing images.
When you work with Courtroom Animation in Los Angeles, CA you will receive guidance, support, expert recommendations and graphics that are appealing to both judges and jurors to help adequately communicate your key arguments throughout your case. We’re proud to share that our visuals have been credited with over $1 billion in favorable settlements and verdicts, and we have a 99% admission rate in court. For more information on what we do, or to inquire about our services for your next case, please contact us today.