A Mock Trial is an opportunity for you to present your case to a group of "jurors" who are not unlike the jurors you will have present in court.  Discover what, how and why various elements of your case affect a jury.  Corporate Research works with you to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your case or settlement strategy.

Use a Mock Trial to address such questions as:
  • What kinds of jurors will be most receptive to your arguments?
  • Which disputed facts do you present?
  • How much might a jury award?
  • Where can we strengthen our case?
  • Where is our opponent’s case weak?
Jurors

A panel similar to what you may expect at the trial is selected. Any preconceived notions about what types of jurors you will accept and those you will attempt to reject can be taken into account.  However, we recommend the case be tried in front of a representative cross-section to help identify which types of jurors are most likely to find for and against you.

The Mock Trial may be conducted in the jurisdiction where the actual case is to be tried.  If an alternative jurisdiction appears to be preferable, we will work with you to find an attitudinally and demographically similar environment in which to conduct the Mock Trial.

Presentation

The trial consists of a summation of the undisputed facts read by a judge, opening statements from both sides with sufficient props to communicate key disputed elements. Props can be charts, simulated pieces of evidence, tapes, or whatever is necessary to make the case. Back to top.

At the conclusion of the trial presentation, jurors are split into two groups of at least six each. They are taken to separate areas where they can deliberate. These proceedings are video taped with trial lawyers and other participants observing from another room. When the verdicts are reached (or sufficient time has elasped to discontinue attempts at a verdict), the jurors are brought back together for a hearing of the verdict and a discussion of the process. Back to top.

A moderator facilitates the discussion of the process by which jurors reach their verdict. This gives lawyers and other observers a chance to hear jurors talk about their reactions to the presentation and their understanding of the evidence.  Areas covered in the discussion will also include:

  • How comfortable are the jurors with the verdict?
  • Under what conditions would they have come to different conclusions?
  • Was the law clear?
  • What was the reaction to each of the presentations? What were the weaknesses? What were the strengths?
  • Were there any problems with the presenters?
  • How relevant were the exhibits? What effect did they have on the verdict?
  • Was there any information that seemed to be missing that might have had an effect on the verdict? Back to top.

The mood of the market is crucial to many cases. Corporate Research can help you identify that mood so you can plan your strategy appropriately. We can conduct the surveys and the focus groups that will give you a clearer picture of how your case or cases similar to yours are perceived. Back to top.

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