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PRE-TRIAL SERVICES
Focus Groups
Focus groups are facilitator-driven dialog of 8-12 jury-eligible participants. Focus groups are best early in the case to help build your case theme and discover problem areas based on participant feedback and the LSS recommendations. These are usually done with 2 to 3 separate panels in a single day and repeated as necessary if the case justifies it.
Mock Trials
Mock trials are an abbreviated version of the real thing. Two adversarial “opponents” will present the case to a jury-eligible panel of participants. Opening statements, key witnesses, closing arguments and jury instructions will be presented to the panel. The participants will deliberate under time constraints and return a verdict. This information can be invaluable in tweaking your final courtroom strategy based on the panel’s feedback and the LSS recommendations. These are usually done with 2 to 3 separate panels in a single day.
Mini Focus Groups
Facilitator-driven dialog of 4-8 jury-eligible participants (average size of group is 6). These are best for test driving specific areas of your case presentation – whether the focus is on theme development, particular problem areas, responses to a critical piece of evidence, witness credibility/likeability or visual aid design. Learn from the panel’s feedback and the LSS recommendations based on their feedback. These are more narrow than a traditional focus group and serve as a starting point for further in-depth juror research.
Opening/Closing Development
Using your identified case themes, LSS will help you craft winning opening statements and closing arguments. Feedback regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the case is evaluated and improved.
Visual Aid Design
LSS can help you design exhibit boards, PowerPoint presentations and other visual aids using the latest psychological data to create color moods and memorable images to enhance your case theme and clarify the facts.
Witness Effectiveness Training
An LSS consultant works with witnesses t ensure their testimony is consistent with core themes and to be briefed on the types of questions opposing counsel will be asking them. This helps them to feel more comfortable in court and confident that they will be better equipped to answer truthfully.
Community Attitude Surveys
Community Attitude Surveys are conducted by phone and in person. LSS consultants work with you to develop a questionnaire designed to uncover potential community bias, identify preferred juror profiles, determine case problem areas and analyze media influence. Not only will the surveys help to provide a basis for a change of venue motion, but they can be a starting point in creating your case theme.
Theme Development
LSS consultants will work with the trial team to outline the strengths and weaknesses of a case and develop a compelling case theory, highlighting the core ideas and how to present them in a clear, concise manner at trial or during mediation.
Supplemental Juror Questionnaires
LSS helps you to craft supplemental juror questionnaires which can help save time during voir dire, and more importantly gather pertinent information related to prejudices the jury pool has without fear of jury contamination, or half-honest answers to questions asked verbally during the voir dire process.
Case Evaluation
Early case evaluation can give you an idea of how a jury will view your case and LSS can help you make better decisions about which cases to settle and which to fight.
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