closing arguments
Lawyer's last words
Closing arguments are the final statements made by attorneys at the end of a trial, summarizing the evidence and urging the jury toward a verdict.
Each side presents its interpretation of the facts and explains why the law favors their client: The defense's closing argument emphasized reasonable doubt.
Also called closing statements or summations.
- verdictOfficial court decision
- burden of proofDuty to prove allegations
- beyond a reasonable doubtHighest legal certainty standard
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
- sworn testimonyOath-bound legal statement
summation · reasonable doubt · jury instructions · persuasive language · rebuttal · last word · jury deliberation · logical reasoning · prosecutor · objection · rhetorical question · closing statement · closing remarks · defense attorney · peroration · testimony · exhibit · expert witness
- courtroom ritualsoath, swearing in, all rise, opening statements, sentencing
- court proceduresbail hearings, civil procedure, bench trials, criminal procedure, jury instructions
- courtroomjudge, jury, oath taking, lawyer, bench
- Legal DramasThe Good Wife, The Good Fight, Boston Legal, LA Law, Perry Mason
- oratorypublic speaking, speeches, oration, orations, addresses
- civil litigationlawsuits, plaintiffs, defendants, verdicts, judgments
closing argumentsopening statements
Initial courtroom presentations
opening arguments · voir dire · jury selection · arraignment · indictment
closing argumentspreamble
Preliminary statement before content
introduction · prologue · commencement · opening statements · opening remarks