Are Courtroom Visuals Always Admissible?

Television courtroom dramas are famous for the “gotcha” moments during a fictional trial.

That is where the hero lawyer presents a last-minute piece of evidence that proves their client’s innocence. Although those moments make for great entertainment, they are far from reality. Every attorney knows that before evidence can be presented to a jury, it must be deemed admissible by the judge.

Courtroom visuals are a type of evidence that attorneys use to support their witness testimony. They can be used in cases involving personal injury, car and truck accidents, and medical malpractice. They can be presented as animations or illustrations and create powerful visual memories that the jury carries back into the deliberation room.

Advocacy Digital Media is a leader in providing high-quality, thoroughly vetted demonstrative visuals. The concern you might have with engaging our services is, “Are courtroom visuals always admissible?”

As you undoubtedly know, for any piece of evidence to be admitted, the judge has to find it to be relevant and fair. Their first consideration is whether the visual is demonstrative or a simulation.

What Is the Difference Between Demonstrative and Simulation Visual Evidence?

Although they might show the same incident, the difference between a demonstrative animation and a simulation comes down to a matter of purpose. A demonstrative animation is used to explain a witness’s testimony. It would be the same if you asked a witness to draw a picture of what they are testifying to.

For example, in a medical malpractice lawsuit, you might bring in a surgeon to explain what went wrong in a procedure. They will explain, based on their knowledge and experience, how the procedure was supposed to be carried out and what the error was.

As the witness testifies, a medical animation can help detail what they are discussing to aid the jury in understanding the complexity of the procedure.

A simulation helps an expert witness form their opinion by presenting a visual representation based on data. This type of video is most often challenged by the other side because it leads to conclusions. The objection might be that it is “assuming facts not in evidence.”

To ensure a simulation is admissible as evidence, it must be supported by irrefutable evidence.

That is exactly how Advocacy Digital Media approaches the creation of every courtroom visual. They must be relevant and reliable.

What Are the Benefits of Courtroom Visuals?

Courtroom visuals are all intended to support the facts you present to a jury. Based on a study published by the National Library of Medicine, 65% of the population are visual learners.

That supports the idea that visuals can benefit your next trial. Here’s how they can help:

Attention and Retention

Think back on your lectures in law school. Did you pay more attention when your professor included text on a whiteboard or with a PowerPoint presentation? Your jury will react the same way. After sitting through hours of testimony, they will be more attentive when presented with a visual they need to analyze for themselves.

Simplifying Information

Evidence can be complicated, but it needs to be understood to support your client’s version of events. Courtroom visuals can break down the facts into a form that is more accessible and understandable for juries.

Visualizing Testimony

Courtroom visuals help the jury visualize the facts presented in testimony. For instance, if you put a medical expert on the stand, they will proceed to explain to the jury details about the procedure using medical terms for different parts of the body or surgical instruments.

When you put up a demonstrative video, the jury will be able to match the testimony with the visual.

Working With Advocacy Digital Media to Get the Right Evidence

When you hire Advocacy Digital Media to prepare your courtroom visuals, you can be assured of accurate and engaging animations, illustrations, and graphics. We work closely with your experts and our network of specialists to fortify the visuals, ensuring they are admissible as evidence in court.

When used correctly, courtroom visuals can sway the jury in your favor.

Contact Advocacy Digital Media to discuss your upcoming trial and how we can assist you.