You may be wondering how a personal injury lawsuit is settled. You also may have wondered what goes on in the deliberation room. Well, the jurors review the evidence that both you and the defense presented in the trial. They will also consider the laws that apply and how they apply to your case.
Jury Will Review Evidence In Your Case
Jurors are very attentive to the evidence that’s presented in the courtroom. Many even go so far as to take notes during your trial (providing that the court allows this!) There is an old saying that ‘birds of a feather flock together.’ This especially applies to jurors. It’s not uncommon for these people to spend several hours ‘huddled together’ reviewing the evidence from your trial.
Because transcripts are not allowed during deliberation, juries have to rely on their memories, notes, and evidence from the trial exhibits. Jurors will discuss the evidence thoroughly until they’re all confident of their final verdicts.
This takes no time in easy cases. That said, it can take many days to a few weeks in more complex cases. Once the jurors have reached an agreement in terms of verdicts, they’ll weigh the merits of these based on what the law says.
Jurors have to use emotions and what the law says
Every judge gives his or her jury many instructions. These tend to be issued at the end of trials. That said, they can be issued at any time during the trial if the judge feels that this is necessary. The instructions will be given orally. Many judges give their juries a written copy of the instructions as well.
The instructions are detailed. They tell the jury members exactly how they must deliberate. Jury members are also instructed on the ways in which they can and should view the witnesses and evidence. Finally, the laws pertaining to your case are explained to them in detail.
The judge will give the jury a general education on the laws that govern negligence. The members are then given a crash course on the particular laws that apply to your trial. Judges will always tell jury members that their final verdicts must comply with whatever the law says. Jury members will be instructed that this is no time for them to let their emotions influence their final decisions, as per personal injury lawyer in Aurora.
What constitutes an emotional appeal to the jury?
If you present this type of evidence at your trial it tends to create an emotional appeal for the jury:
● A major permanent injury or disability
● A minor who was hurt
● Some pictures of the injury
● Proof that either the defendant or his or her witnesses either lied about how the accident occurred or attempted to cover up their negligence that caused the injury.
● A nice plaintiff with a good demeanor and family
Defense lawyers hate it when their plaintiffs have a case with a strong emotional appeal because it greatly increases the chances of the plaintiffs winning the trial.
Jurors decide pain and suffering
Jury members tend to use common sense when calculating damages for pain and suffering. They also apply your case and situation to them and think about how much money they would want if they were in your situation.
