What do attorneys hope to achieve during their opening statements?

Attorneys aim to outline their case strategy during their opening statements, which serves as a critical opportunity to introduce the facts of the case to the jury. This phase of the trial allows attorneys to present their overarching narrative and frame the legal issues at the heart of the dispute. By providing a roadmap of what they intend to prove, attorneys set the stage for how they will present their evidence and arguments throughout the trial. This preparation helps jurors understand the context and significance of the evidence they will hear.

While convincing the jury of the defendant’s innocence, declaring evidence admissible, or listing witnesses may also be part of the overall trial strategy, the primary purpose of the opening statement is to lay out the framework of the case itself. This strategic outline is essential for guiding the jury's understanding as they listen to the evidence unfold.