"Lawyers earn their living by the sweat of their tongues, and they don't mind hard work." (anon.) Some legal pundits espouse the use of conversational tones when addressing Jurors. They recommend a friendly discussion approach while arguing points to the Trier of Fact. These Courthouse virtuosos suggest that the sophistication of contemporary Jurors makes Courtroom oratory passe. Excuse me A PROSECUTOR has a sworn duty to proclaim the truth. Even the most casual Courtroom combatant knows that facts don't automatically prevail. Justice is often frustrated. Truth doesn't inexorably impose its...

"Lawyers earn their living by the sweat of their tongues, and they don't mind hard work." (anon.) Some legal pundits espouse the use of conversational tones when addressing Jurors. They recommend a friendly discussion approach while arguing points to the Trier of Fact. These Courthouse virtuosos suggest that the sophistication of contemporary Jurors makes Courtroom oratory passe. Excuse me A PROSECUTOR has a sworn duty to proclaim the truth. Even the most casual Courtroom combatant knows that facts don't automatically prevail. Justice is often frustrated. Truth doesn't inexorably impose its...

"Some circumstantial evidence is very strong, as when you find a trout in the milk." (Henry David Thoreau) There are two great branches of evidence in a Criminal Case. They are direct evidence and circumstantial evidence. The meaning of direct evidence is as plain as the nose on your face. A first grader can easily grasp the concept. Whatever a person perceives with any of his physical senses is direct evidence. If you see a crime happen that is direct evidence. And if you smell it or touch it or taste it or hear it as it happens -- that is also direct evidence. Everything else is...

"Some circumstantial evidence is very strong, as when you find a trout in the milk." (Henry David Thoreau) There are two great branches of evidence in a Criminal Case. They are direct evidence and circumstantial evidence. The meaning of direct evidence is as plain as the nose on your face. A first grader can easily grasp the concept. Whatever a person perceives with any of his physical senses is direct evidence. If you see a crime happen that is direct evidence. And if you smell it or touch it or taste it or hear it as it happens -- that is also direct evidence. Everything else is...