[blindlaw] Moving Around in front of Jury during closing argument?

[Russell J. Thomas, Jr.]

You are on the right track -- don't stand at the podium. Never read to a
jury. There is nothing wrong with standing in the same place in front of a
jury; moving around is not essential, unless this is your style or it makes
you feel more comfortable. 

Know your closing argument well enough so that you can speak
extemporaneously.  What I usually do is take 3/5 cards and put key words or
phrases on them in Braille. I hold the cards in my left hand and
occasionally read them with my right hand if I need to.  

In your closing argument don't use legal terms or complex words.  If you
assume that you are lucky if the average education level of your jury  is
about eighth grade, then keep it simple.  

Sometimes, I will pick two or three key words and ask the jury to remember
those words.  Then I build my closing argument around those words.  If the
jury can remember those key words in the jury room you will be in good
shape.

Another point: never more than 20 minutes.  You may  loose your jury if you
are long-winded.  Keeping it to 20 minutes will force you to make your
presentation more focused and zero in on the points that will carry the day
for you.  



-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Rod Alcidonis
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2008 1:47 AM
To: NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: [blindlaw] Moving Around in front of Jury during closing argument?

Hello everyone:

Again, please advise....

Can you guys share some tips to move around in front of the jury confidently
while giving a closing argument and not stand at the podium and look boring?

Thanks....

Rod Alcidonis 
Juris Doctor Candidate, 2009.
Roger Williams University School of Law
10 Metacom Ave., Box: 9003
Bristol, RI 02809
Cell: 718-704-4651
Home: 401-824-8685
Visit my Law School Blog at:
http://blogs.rwu.edu/law/ralcidonis