- opening statement
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opening statement n: a statement to the jury by trial counsel before the presentation of evidence that usu. explains the nature of the case, the factual matters to be proven, and the evidence to be presented and that summarizes the arguments to be made; also: a similar statement made to the presiding authority (as an arbitrator) at a nonjudicial or quasi-judicial hearing (as an arbitration hearing)
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.
- opening statement
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noun
opening argument, presentation of basics, presentation of data, presentation of essentials, presentation of the documentation, presentation of the evidence, presentation of the facts
Burton's Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006
- opening statement
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n.A speech made by an attorney at the start of a trial describing the facts and issues of the case and arguments that the attorney will make.
The Essential Law Dictionary. — Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. Amy Hackney Blackwell. 2008.
- opening statement
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A statement made by an attorney or self-represented party at the beginning of a trial before evidence is introduced. The opening statement outlines the party's legal position and previews the evidence that will be introduced later. The purpose of an opening statement is to familiarize the jury with what it will hear — and why it will hear it — not to present an argument as to why the speaker's side should win; that comes after all evidence is presented as part of the closing argument.Category: Accidents & InjuriesCategory: Criminal LawCategory: Representing Yourself in CourtCategory: Small Claims Court & LawsuitsCategory: Working With a Lawyer
Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary. Gerald N. Hill, Kathleen Thompson Hill. 2009.
- opening statement
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n. Introductory remarks made by an attorney at the commencement of a trial, in which he outlines the evidence that is expected to be proven. Although sometimes referred to as an "opening argument," this term is a misnomer, as the lawyers are not permitted to argue any points that have not yet been introduced into evidence.
Webster's New World Law Dictionary. Susan Ellis Wild. 2000.
- opening statement
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An introductory statement made by the attorneys for each side at the start of a trial. The opening statement, although not mandatory, is seldom waived because it offers a valuable opportunity to provide an overview of the case to the jury and to explain the anticipated proof that will be presented during the course of the trial.
Dictionary from West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005.
- opening statement
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I
An introductory statement made by the attorneys for each side at the start of a trial. The opening statement, although not mandatory, is seldom waived because it offers a valuable opportunity to provide an overview of the case to the jury and to explain the anticipated proof that will be presented during the course of the trial.II The initial statement made by attorneys for each side, outlining the facts each intends to establish during the trial.
Short Dictionary of (mostly American) Legal Terms and Abbreviations.
- opening statement
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n.the explanation by the attorneys for both sides at the beginning of the trial of what will be proved during the trial. The defendant's attorney may delay the opening statement for the defense until the plaintiff's evidence has been introduced. Unlike a "closing argument," the opening statement is supposed to be a factual presentation and not an argument.See also: closing argument
Law dictionary. EdwART. 2013.
