Legal Definitions - summation

In a legal trial, summation, also commonly referred to as a closing argument, is the final opportunity for each side to present their case directly to the judge or jury before a decision is made. During summation, attorneys review the evidence that has been presented throughout the trial, explain what they believe that evidence proves, and argue why the judge or jury should rule in their client's favor. Unlike an opening statement, which merely previews what the evidence is expected to show, a summation allows lawyers to draw conclusions, highlight key facts, and persuade the decision-maker to interpret the evidence in a way that supports their client's position.

• Example 1: Criminal Trial

  In a high-profile robbery trial, the prosecutor delivers their summation by meticulously recounting the eyewitness testimonies, presenting the timeline established by security camera footage, and emphasizing the forensic evidence linking the defendant to the crime scene. They then argue to the jury that, based on all the presented evidence, there is no reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the robbery and should be found guilty.

  This illustrates summation because the prosecutor is summarizing all the evidence gathered during the trial and using it to construct a final, persuasive argument for a specific verdict.

• Example 2: Civil Personal Injury Lawsuit

  During a lawsuit stemming from a car accident, the plaintiff's attorney presents their summation to the jury. They remind the jury of the medical expert's testimony detailing the extent of the client's injuries, the documented lost wages, and the emotional distress described by the client. The attorney then argues that the defendant's negligence directly caused these damages and asks the jury to award a specific amount in compensation to their client.

  This demonstrates summation as the attorney reviews the evidence of harm and negligence, then makes a final argument to convince the jury to rule in favor of their client and award damages.

• Example 3: Breach of Contract Dispute

  In a commercial dispute over a construction contract, the defense attorney delivers their summation to the judge. They refer back to specific clauses in the contract, highlight testimony from project managers indicating delays were due to unforeseen circumstances rather than a breach, and present financial records showing their client made good-faith efforts to complete the work. They conclude by arguing that the plaintiff failed to prove a breach of contract and that their client should not be held liable.

  This is an example of summation because the defense attorney is consolidating the evidence (contract terms, testimonies, financial records) to form a conclusive argument against the plaintiff's claim, aiming to persuade the judge to rule in their client's favor.