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Simple English definitions for legal terms

closing argument

Read a random definition: indirect attack

A quick definition of closing argument:

Closing argument is the last chance for a lawyer to convince the judge or jury that they should win the case. It happens after all the evidence has been presented and both sides have rested their cases. The lawyer explains how the evidence supports their theory of the case and clarifies any issues that the jury must resolve to make a decision. The lawyer cannot ask the jury to consider anything other than what was presented in court. Both sides present a closing argument, and in a criminal case, the prosecutor and defense counsel make the argument, while in a civil case, the plaintiff's lawyer and defendant's lawyer make the argument.

A more thorough explanation:

Closing argument is the final chance for a lawyer to convince the judge or jury that their side should win the case. It happens after all the evidence has been presented and both sides have rested their cases. The lawyer uses this time to explain how the evidence supports their theory of the case and to clarify any issues that the jury must resolve to make a decision.

Closing arguments are powerful because they are the last thing the jury hears before making a decision. The lawyer can use creative strategies and techniques to convince the jury, but they must rely only on the evidence presented in court. They cannot ask the jury to consider anything else, like personal biases or prejudices.

Both sides in a trial present a closing argument. In a criminal case, the prosecutor and defense counsel each make a closing argument. In a civil case, the plaintiff's lawyer and the defendant's lawyer each make a closing argument.

In a criminal trial, the prosecutor might use their closing argument to remind the jury of the evidence presented that shows the defendant committed the crime. They might also explain why the defense's arguments don't make sense based on the evidence. The defense lawyer might use their closing argument to point out weaknesses in the prosecution's case and to argue that the evidence doesn't prove beyond a reasonable doubt that their client committed the crime.

In a civil trial, the plaintiff's lawyer might use their closing argument to explain why the defendant is responsible for the harm the plaintiff suffered and to ask for a specific amount of money in damages. The defendant's lawyer might use their closing argument to argue that their client is not responsible for the harm or that the harm was not as severe as the plaintiff claims.

These examples illustrate how closing arguments are used to summarize the evidence and arguments presented in a trial and to persuade the judge or jury to make a decision in favor of one side or the other.

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15:41
just for u sweetie pie
15:43
woah so much swagger with dat 'm;
Dkk
15:47
@shaquilleoatmeal: more like, blow my back out by the bay boston instead of back bay boston.
Dkk
15:48
Indeed, the legendary man himself.
15:49
I would go to blow my back out by the bay boston
15:50
lift with ur back not your legs, its better to have a blown back than two bad legs
CynicalOops
15:53
Blow and back day out by boston bay
15:59
so true
Dkk
16:03
Of course. Man sad Ricky Henderson died. That was my favorite athlete of all time.
windyMagician
16:10
is it dumb that I rlly want to go to Mich even tho I have a full ride to umn
16:12
no-value as a consumer often means more than the price
Dkk
16:15
@windyMagician: Nah michigan is better than UMN
Dkk
16:15
My sister just officially graduated, yay!
16:16
awesome @Dkks sister
16:16
prolly named veronica or sarah
windyMagician
16:16
@Dkk: for public defense tho?
windyMagician
16:16
Sarah in the bathroom
texaslawhopefully
16:17
@windyMagician: not at all. Michigan is also very generous with aid, so if you get enough it makes perfect sense to take it.
windyMagician
16:17
fuck okay
windyMagician
16:17
going to my dream school is crazy
michigan also has better options if you do PD for 10 years then want to do something else
windyMagician
16:19
also would love to clerk for my federal district court even tho I know its hella competitive, I think mich sets me up better?
16:20
would be a great point to bring up when ur deciding / visiting each place- see what recent placement looks like
texaslawhopefully
16:23
For fed clerkships by far Michigan places better. I think it’s like 14-15 percent
windyMagician
16:25
sticker debt is high-key scary tho
texaslawhopefully
16:26
I’m sure you’ll get good merit aid though. Look at Michigan’s 509 report. They’re very generous.
16:34
i am going to wait patiently into january to get into a law school
16:34
then i will start tweaking
texaslawhopefully
16:42
January could not come any sooner
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