Sean Kent

An opening statement is just your opportunity from the prosecution standpoint to say, this is what we intend on proving. The defense standpoint is really it's sort of like a handshake. If you ever walked into a club or walked into a bar the first time you've met somebody, it's can I make you like me in a very short, quick period of time? And so that's really the point.

An opening statement is just your opportunity from the prosecution standpoint to say, this is what we intend on proving. The defense standpoint is really it's sort of like a handshake. If you ever walked into a club or walked into a bar the first time you've met somebody, it's can I make you like me in a very short, quick period of time? And so that's really the point.

An opening statement is just your opportunity from the prosecution standpoint to say, this is what we intend on proving. The defense standpoint is really it's sort of like a handshake. If you ever walked into a club or walked into a bar the first time you've met somebody, it's can I make you like me in a very short, quick period of time? And so that's really the point.

Prosecution is trying to say this is why we're going to win. Defense is trying to say this is why you should like me and listen.

Prosecution is trying to say this is why we're going to win. Defense is trying to say this is why you should like me and listen.

Prosecution is trying to say this is why we're going to win. Defense is trying to say this is why you should like me and listen.

One hundred percent. Like one of the things that people don't understand is if you've ever been in an argument with a loved one, the person who gets the first word and the person who gets the last word in an argument, some people always assume they win. The government gets the first word in the trial and in the federal trial, they get the last word.

One hundred percent. Like one of the things that people don't understand is if you've ever been in an argument with a loved one, the person who gets the first word and the person who gets the last word in an argument, some people always assume they win. The government gets the first word in the trial and in the federal trial, they get the last word.

One hundred percent. Like one of the things that people don't understand is if you've ever been in an argument with a loved one, the person who gets the first word and the person who gets the last word in an argument, some people always assume they win. The government gets the first word in the trial and in the federal trial, they get the last word.

So you can imagine if they're going first and they're going last, if you are boring and uninspiring in the middle, the jury checks out. They are just not listening anymore because the government's getting the last word. So I always say the defense has got to be much more entertaining, much more flamboyant, and make that jury listen.

So you can imagine if they're going first and they're going last, if you are boring and uninspiring in the middle, the jury checks out. They are just not listening anymore because the government's getting the last word. So I always say the defense has got to be much more entertaining, much more flamboyant, and make that jury listen.

So you can imagine if they're going first and they're going last, if you are boring and uninspiring in the middle, the jury checks out. They are just not listening anymore because the government's getting the last word. So I always say the defense has got to be much more entertaining, much more flamboyant, and make that jury listen.

You can do it significantly more in closing arguments because a closing argument is just that it is. I'm going to tell you everything. I'm going to tell you why that guy is wrong. You know, saying, look, guys, everything they said is a load of bull. And let me tell you why. Let me tell you all the awful stuff that the United States of America is about to do during this trial.

You can do it significantly more in closing arguments because a closing argument is just that it is. I'm going to tell you everything. I'm going to tell you why that guy is wrong. You know, saying, look, guys, everything they said is a load of bull. And let me tell you why. Let me tell you all the awful stuff that the United States of America is about to do during this trial.

You can do it significantly more in closing arguments because a closing argument is just that it is. I'm going to tell you everything. I'm going to tell you why that guy is wrong. You know, saying, look, guys, everything they said is a load of bull. And let me tell you why. Let me tell you all the awful stuff that the United States of America is about to do during this trial.

That's the point of opening. You're trying to get that jury on your side, believe it or not, just to listen.

That's the point of opening. You're trying to get that jury on your side, believe it or not, just to listen.

That's the point of opening. You're trying to get that jury on your side, believe it or not, just to listen.

You'll be shocked. The biggest one I find are people relying on notes. And you say, oh, why would you say, why would they not have notes? The example I give when we teach is I ask, I'll go in a group of people and I say, how many of you are married? Hands raised. And I said, how many of you, when you propose or got proposed to, your significant other used notes? And everybody's hands down.

You'll be shocked. The biggest one I find are people relying on notes. And you say, oh, why would you say, why would they not have notes? The example I give when we teach is I ask, I'll go in a group of people and I say, how many of you are married? Hands raised. And I said, how many of you, when you propose or got proposed to, your significant other used notes? And everybody's hands down.