Posted on October 20, 2016
The Next Fight- Opening Statements
Don West, National Trial Counsel for CCW Safe, continues The Next Fight, talking about opening statements.
Opening statements are compared to the roadmap of the case. It is the opportunity for the lawyers to tell the jury about the evidence they expect to present, and outlines the testimony of important witnesses.
In a Self Defense case, the defense opening statements using a good and powerful opening can get the jury questioning the prosecution evidence and guide them on what to look for that supports the claim of self defense.
Welcome to The Next Fight!
The Next Fight Series:
2. The Next Fight: Self Defense As A Matter Of Perspective
3. The Next Fight- Calling 911 After a Self Defense Shooting
4. The Next Fight- Statements and Miranda
5. The Next Fight- The Responding Officer
6. The Next Fight- The Investigating Detective
7. The Next Fight- Police Search After Shooting
8. The Next Fight- Interacting With Police During An Arrest
9. The Next Fight- Being Formally Charged
10. The Next Fight- Choosing Your Attorney
11. The Next Fight- The Bond Hearing
12. The Next Fight- Posting Bail
13. The Next Fight- First Court Appearance
14. The Next Fight- Investigating Your Case
16. The Next Fight- Plea Bargains
17. The Next Fight- Self Defense Immunity & Stand Your Ground Laws
18. The Next Fight- What Happens At Trial?
19. The Next Fight- Jury Selection
21. The Next Fight-Presentation of Evidence
22. The Next Fight- Direct And Circumstantial Evidence
23. The Next Fight- Defense Witnesses
24. The Next Fight- Closing Arguments
25. The Next Fight- The Verdict
About Don West
Don West is the National Trial Counsel for CCW Safe. He has been practicing criminal defense trial lawyer for over 36 years and is board certified by the Florida Bar as a criminal trial specialist. Don has experience as lead counsel, co-counsel and as a trial consultant helping other lawyers prepare their self defense cases. As a result of his work in private practice and with CCW Safe, he has had an opportunity to experience first hand just how much it really costs to defend a lethal self defense case.