How To Make Sure Your Courtroom Animation is Admissible in Court

The United States Courts have their own rules of evidence, outlining what can be admitted or excluded into the evidence. While those regulations are used in federal cases, many states follow the same rules.

As you already know, admissibility determines whether the court can accept evidence. When evidence is presented, it must satisfy the criterion of relevance.

As you’re aware, the ultimate decision rests with the court to determine whether evidence is admissible or not. But these tips we provide below for how to make sure your courtroom animation is admissible in court can help you boost your chances.

Create and Submit Early

Following the rules of evidence, all these exhibits and other information must be shared with the other party. While those surprise moments might make for exciting television, they rarely occur in actual courtroom. The discovery process ensures that both parties have access to all the evidence in the case. When you submit your animations earlier on, it is not only a matter of professional courtesy, but it is also a legal requirement in many jurisdictions.

By sharing with opposing counsel, you also make sure that all parties have ample time to thoroughly review and evaluate its accuracy and relevance. Last-minute entries into the evidence can delay the case, and it could create animosity between the other parties, the judge, and even your client.

Let’s not forget that failing to disclose evidence in a timely manner can have severe consequences. In most cases, it breaks all the rules of discovery. Sometimes, it can lead to potential sanctions or exclusion of evidence. With all that effort put forth to create a courtroom animation, you will want to make sure that it can be properly used in your case.

Expert Witness Consultation

If you are creating a 2D illustration, 3D animation, or interactive presentation, you will want to consult with expert witnesses. By doing so, you can ensure that you have verified the accuracy of your visual elements. Some of these examples can include:

• In a medical malpractice case, you might want to have a healthcare expert confirm that the surgical procedure depicted did not align with accepted medical practices.
• An engineering expert can validate the animation’s demonstration of equipment failure in a workers’ compensation case involving faulty machinery.

When you use these individuals to thoroughly examine the methodology, data sources, and technical details, their endorsement enhances your credibility in court.

Keep in mind, if you enter a courtroom animation that is blatantly fact or skews the facts of the case, it could be considered inadmissible. For that reason, you will want to review all the complex scientific principles and industry standards with these experts. It is important to keep everything accurate.

Whether the animation deals with physics, engineering, or medical concepts, their insights can prove to be invaluable in strengthening the validity of your arguments. Additionally, it can ensure that they have evidence that is admissible in a court of law.

Keep It Relevant

When creating a courtroom animation, it needs to remain relevant and communicate the details of the incident in an effective manner. You will want to accurately represent the scene of the accident, the injuries sustained, and any contributing factors.

Along with that, there needs to be an emphasis on liability. This is your time to show how the defendant’s actions or negligence directly led to the accident.

Additionally, ensure the animation is clear, easy to follow, and visually compelling. These animations should be easily understandable by all jurors. But most importantly, all these details should remain relevant to the case. You must connect it to specific legal elements, such as liability, causation, or damages.

Organize Your Evidence

If you have courtroom animations that are haphazardly numbered or ordered, it could affect whether you can use them in the courtroom. A disorganized case will not win you any favors with the judge.

For that reason, you will want to have a unique exhibit number for all evidence, including animations. A consistent labeling system ensures that your organization remains intact throughout the trial. For example, you can use “Exhibit 1: Animation of Car Impact” to identify the animation.

You may also want to add a description of the animation. This description should briefly outline what the animation depicts and its significance to the case. This structured approach can enhance the admissibility of your evidence presentation during the trial.

A well-prepared courtroom animation can boost your client’s case, explain complex concepts, and engage jurors. Following these steps increases the likelihood of its admissibility, making it a valuable asset during trial.

If you want to make sure you have the best courtroom animation that meets all the admissible guidelines, Advocacy Digital Media is ready to assist.