Opening statement

Opening statement — Definition and meaning

An opening statement is generally the first occasion that the trier of fact has to hear from a lawyer in a trial, aside possibly from questioning during voir dire. The opening statement is generally constructed to serve as a "road map" for the fact-finder. This is especially essential, in many jury trials, since jurors know nothing at all about the case before the trial,. Though such statements may be dramatic and vivid, they must be limited to the evidence reasonably expected to be presented during the trial. Attorneys generally conclude opening statements with a reminder that at the conclusion of evidence, the attorney will return to ask the fact-finder to find in their client's favor.

The importance of Opening statement

Opening statement appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.

How Opening statement is applied

In practice, Opening statement is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wikipedia , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.

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O-1 O-1A O-1B OAG Oath Oath book oath-helping Obergefell obiter Obiter dictum Obiter dictum objection Objection (United States law) Objection to discharge Objection to dischargeability Objection to exemptions overwidth Obrogation outside employment Omission (law) Out-of-pocket expense Overcharge opposition ordinary orfgild ouster le main Occupational disease Ordinary course of business