Closing argument

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This article is about the legal term. For the album, see Closing Arguments (album). For the racehorse, see Closing Argument (horse).
Pierre Victor, Baron de Besenval de Brunstatt. The baron was charged with the crime of lèse-nation. It was one of the most sensational court cases in connection with the French Revolution.[1][2][3]

A closing argument, summation, or summing up is the concluding statement of each party's

objections during closing arguments, except for egregious behavior.[4]
However, such objections, when made, can prove critical later in order to preserve appellate issues.

In the United States, the

waive
their opportunity to present a closing argument.

During closing arguments, counsel may not (among other restrictions) vouch for the credibility of witnesses, indicate their personal opinions of the case, comment on the absence of evidence that they themselves have caused to be excluded, or attempt to exhort the jury to irrational, emotional behavior.

In some countries (e.g. France or Germany), in criminal cases, the defendant's counsel always makes their closing argument last, after the public prosecutor or any other party. Sometimes the defendant is allowed to address the court directly after his or her counsel's closing argument.

In a

burden of proof
, or implying that the defense must put on evidence or somehow prove the innocence of the defendant.

In some cases, a judge's presentation of the

deliberate
.

The purposes and techniques of closing argument are taught in courses on

Trial Advocacy.[6] The closing is often planned early in the trial planning process.[7] The attorneys will integrate the closing with the overall case strategy through either a theme and theory or, with more advanced strategies, a line of effort. The prosecution should also state the main points and be sure to give their side of the argument and to be emotional.[8][9]

See also

References

  1. ^ Raymond Desèze: Plaidoyer prononcé à l’audience du Châtelet de Paris, tous les services assemblés, du Lundi 1er mars 1790, par M. Desèze, avocat au Parlement, pour M. Le Baron de Besenval, accusé [accusé du crime de lèse-nation], contre M. Le Procureur du Roi au Châtelet, accusateur, chez Prault, Imprimeur du Roi, Quai des Augustins, Paris, 1790
  2. ^ Journal de Paris: L’affaire de Besenval, Numéro 225, supplément au Journal de Paris, Vendredi, 13 août 1790, de la Lune le 4, de l’imprimerie de Quillau, rue Plâtrière, 11, Paris, supplément (no. 59)
  3. ^ Journal de Paris: L’affaire de Besenval, Numéro 343, Mercredi, 9 décembre 1789, de la Lune 23, de l’imprimerie de Quillau, rue Plâtrière, 11, Paris, p. 1607
  4. ^ "The Abuse of Opening Statements and Closing Arguments in Civil Litigation". 24 August 2015.
  5. ^ See Cantrell, Charles L., Prosecutorial Misconduct: Recognizing Errors in Closing Argument, 26 Am. J. Trial Advoc. 535 (2003) http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1035&context=charles_cantrell
  6. ISBN 1556818866
  7. ISBN 0615676952
  8. ^ O'Toole, Tom (PhD) & Schmid, Jill (PhD); Tsongas Litigation Consulting. Effective Opening Statements and Closing Arguments.King County Bar Bulletin. Dec. 2010. Accessed Jan. 12, 2017.
  9. ^ Dreier, p. 46-73


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