Deck 15: Trial Techniques

Question 1

The paralegal does not assist in the preparation of a trial brief.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

The paralegal should schedule a meeting with the court clerk and the court reporter before the trial.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The preparation for trial begins at the initial client interview.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The trial notebook is a binder that contains, in complete or summary form, everything necessary to prosecute or defend a case.

Question 5

The jury profile is a summary of the composite characteristics of a typical jury in a particular court.

Question 6

The pleadings in the case may be amended.

Question 7

Most cases are not settled or dismissed before reaching the trial stage.

Question 8

The chronology of a case is a listing of what happened, when it happened, where it happened, and who was involved.

Question 9

The paralegal is instrumental in preparing a witness for trial.

Question 10

Voir dire is ________.

A) the opening statement
B) jury instruction
C) the process of questioning prospective jurors
D) None of these choices.

Question 11

The paralegal may be asked to assist the attorney in the jury selection.

Question 12

Rodger should schedule a meeting with the court clerk and the court reporter before trial.

Question 13

According to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, once a case has been placed on the trial calendar, pleadings ________.

A) cannot be amended
B) can be amended
C) can be amended only with the permission of the court or with the written consent of the opposing party
D) None of these choices.

Question 14

The return of service information on a trial subpoena must be completed and filed with the court before the subpoena is valid.

Question 15

Rodger may be asked to interview a former employee of the partnership who has agreed to testify on Thompson's behalf.

Question 16

A witness who has been subpoenaed to testify at trial and produce documents may ________.

A) object to the document request within 10 days of service
B) not object to the document request
C) simply fail to produce the documents
D) None of these choices.

Question 17

A jury trial is a constitutionally guaranteed right in this case.

Question 18

A shadow jury is ________.

A) another name for the actual jury
B) a jury selected by the law firm or outside consulting firm
C) a panel of typical jurors who participate in the mock jury
D) None of these choices.

Question 19

The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil lawsuits if the amount in controversy exceeds ________.

A) $20
B) $500
C) $1,000
D) $10,000

Question 20

One task Rodger may undertake in the trial is examining Jackson's witness.

Question 21

Paralegals may be asked to determine the validity of or to ________ cases cited in a brief.

Question 22

The jury ________ gives a narrative description of the characteristics of the ideal jury for a particular case.

Question 23

In a trial by a judge, the judge acts as both the finder of ________ and the determiner of law.

Question 24

The paralegal's responsibilities at trial may include ________.

A) locating and having witnesses present in the courtroom
B) keeping track of exhibits
C) taking notes during the trial
D) All of these choices.

Question 25

The only task relating to witnesses listed below that the paralegal may not perform is ________.

A) examining or cross-examining the witness during trial
B) subpoenaing a witness for trial
C) communicating with the witness
D) All of these choices.

Question 26

An important tool in the trial notebook is the ________, which lists what happened, when it happened, where it happened, and who was involved.

Question 27

Responsibilities for trial exhibit preparation that the paralegal may be asked to undertake include ________.

A) determining the exhibits his or her attorney plans to use at trial
B) preparing a trial exhibit log
C) arranging for the production of enlarged exhibits and unusual graphics
D) All of these choices.

Question 28

A group of independent individuals chosen before the trial to reflect the probable makeup of the actual jury is a ________.

A) shadow jury
B) mock jury
C) jury panel
D) None of these choices.

Question 29

________ is the process by which the jurors are questioned to determine bias.

Question 30

Preliminary preparation for trial in which the paralegal may be involved includes ________.

A) file organization
B) amending the pleadings
C) maintaining the trial notebook
D) All of these choices.

Question 31

A(n) ________ explains the legal issues involved in a case and the law that demonstrates the validity of a party's position in the case.

Question 32

The ________ Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury in suits at common law, where the value in controversy exceeds $20.

Question 33

A document often included in a trial notebook that lists an expert witness's professional credentials and publications is a(n) ________.

Question 34

According to Rule 45 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the ________ is responsible for issuing subpoenas.

Question 35

A trial subpoena must be ________ served on a witness.