Author Question: Explain the role that the paralegal plays during the trial and why. Describe the types of tasks ... (Read 127 times)

tiara099 · **on:** Aug 3, 2018

Explain the role that the paralegal plays during the trial and why.

Describe the types
of tasks a paralegal typically performs during a trial.

Question 2

Define voir dire.

What roles do the attorney and paralegal play in the voir dire
process?

stillxalice · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 3, 2018

Answer to Question 1

The role that the paralegal plays during trial is trial assistant. Paralegals are trial assistants because representing a client in court is considered to be the practice of law and is limited to attorneys.
The types of trial-related tasks that the paralegal may perform include:

Coordinating the logistical aspects of the witnesses and presentation of evidence.
Assembling the documents and materials that will be needed in court, prior to each trial day.
Filing the documents that are no longer needed during trial.
Organizing documents and materials that will be needed for the next day. Monitoring each witness's testimony to ensure that it is consistent with
previous statements made by the witness.
Observing how the jury is responding to various witnesses and their testimony or to the attorneys' demeanor and questions.
Taking notes during the trial on these observations and on the points being stressed and the types of evidence introduced by the opposing counsel. These notes will provide a trial journal.

Answer to Question 2

Jurors are selected through a process called voir dire, which involves questioning the prospective jurors to determine whether they are biased, have any connection with the party to the action, or have any connection with a prospective witness. The attorney's role is to ask questions of the prospective jurors. The paralegal's role is to work with the attorneys to prepare the questions that will be asked of the jurors during voir dire. During the jury selection process, paralegals often observe the prospective jurors as they respond to the attorney's questions and watch for any verbal or nonverbal responses that might show bias.