It is 8 o’clock on a Monday morning, and trial begins in an hour. I arrive first and pick the table closest to the jury box. As I settle in, I take in the room. The bailiff sits across from me; he looks my way, nods his head and returns to his newspaper article. The court reporter comes in, and I give him my business card. I sit down, catch my breath and wait.
New lawyers representing clients at trial must be well prepared physically and mentally for whatever surprises occur in the courtroom. This article gives a short synopsis of the trial process, beginning with jury selection.
