Preparing a trial is a complex task and you'll need all the help you can get. Both mock trials and focus groups can be very beneficial for your trial, especially if it's a high-stakes one. Although quite similar, focus groups and mock trials are different, at least from a procedural or legal viewpoint.
So, what should you choose? Working with a focus group or having a mock trial? Or should you choose both? Let's see what are the difference between these two procedures and what they are all about. What's more, you'll learn what a Broward jury selection consultant does and how one can help you. Let's start:
The focus group – what is it?
Let's start by defining these two different legal terms. A focus group is essentially a group of people selected or recruited by a trial image consultant in Ft. Laurderdale in order to participate in a guided discussion and provide feedback. Focus groups are used in many industries. For instance, large manufacturers use focus groups to get feedback before launching a new product or service (the product is shown as a demo or a prototype).
In the legal field, focus groups work essentially the same way. They are given short statements, closing or opening arguments, small pieces of information about the case or the defendant and are asked to provide feedback. Usually, the feedback should be provided without added instructions. Preferably, the people who are part of the focus group should not know anything about the case or the defendant. This ensures that the feedback is valuable, valid, and helpful when preparing the actual trial. The focus group proceedings are usually less formal than mock trials.
When should you use a focus group?
Focus groups are extremely helpful for litigators and legal teams during trial preparation. They are ideal ways to gather information during the discovery phase of the trial. Focus groups are also helpful when evaluating the merits of the case. The participants are asked questions about what they think or feel about the case. The questions are designed to explore their attitudes and personalities to better understand how they will react to the case. Exploring their values and thought processes help the legal team better understand how the jury will react to evidence presented in an actual trial.
Focus groups let you understand how people react to certain pieces of information about the case or the defendant. You can better assess your case's strengths and weaknesses and fix anything that might go wrong. Similarly, you can discover how your opponent's case is viewed by a neutral group of people. Obviously, the questions must be as neutral as possible or they must be presented from both vantage points.
The information you gather when interacting with a focus group can be helpful when planning your case strategy. You can gather important word tracks or verbiage that will resonate with the jury members, helping your case tremendously. Choosing to work with a good trial image consultant in Ft. Lauderdale means that you'll be able to adapt your strategies, your language, and your presentation during the trial. This leads to a higher impact and a better outcome of the trial.
The mock trial – what is it?
Mock trials are more formal than a focus group, but they work fairly similarly. The only difference is that your legal team will have a chance to practice the trial in a very realistic setting. It's similar to how actors have many rehearsals before the actual show. Mock trials are a major advantage for lawyers who don't have a lot of direct trial experience and want to hone their skills before the actual trial. They get the chance of receiving valuable feedback about their professional and presentation skills.
Obviously, a mock trial has no legal consequences and cannot predict the outcome of a trial. However, you will see how the trial might happen, what strategies might work, or might not, and how you can adapt your court strategy. The quality of the mock trial matters a lot. Try to work with the best trial image consultant in Ft. Lauderdale – this will guarantee that you get the best setup and the best environment to test your strategies.
Mock trials are also helpful for witnesses. They can be prepared for the questions they will be asked during the actual trial. This is particularly effective if the mock trial successfully recreates the atmosphere of a real court trial. Your witnesses will be able to practice testifying and will know the exact procedures during the actual trial. Mock trials can also be taped, providing the opportunity to review, improve, and critique the presentation. Mock trials help defense teams how people think, how they react to evidence, to questions, and how their defense strategies should be adapted.
Using a focus group and a mock trial together – can you do it?
Yes, you can use both these legal proceedings to prepare your case. You will obviously have a tremendous advantage if you do both of them correctly. Firstly, the focus group will provide you information about how people think, what type of decisions you should make, and how your strategy should be developed. Secondly, as the case progresses, mock trials will let you test the strategies and see how people react to them. You will have the opportunity to make the final strategic decisions and implement all you learned from the previous experiences.
Preparing a mock trial or a focus group
Thankfully, you don't have to do the legwork on your own. There are professionals who can help you organize the best focus group or mock trial for your case. For instance, a good Broward jury selection consultant can help you choose the right people for the focus group, organize the meeting, and prepare documents. The same goes for mock trials, you just have to work with professionals. Obviously, some input from you will be expected – you have to provide the information about the case, the questions, the witnesses, and so on. However, the Broward jury selection consultant will take care of the rest.
