Lawyers need good trial presentation software because people (judges and jurors alike) expect theatrics. The original Court TV launched with much fanfare in 1991. By 2007, declining viewership forced that network to go dark. Why? People don’t want to see lawyers fumble through PowerPoint presentations. People, including potential jurors, judges, and mediators, want to see compelling displays that only good trial software produces.
Case Crafter is the only litigation software that effectively combines the theatrics and concise legal analysis every trial needs. The timeline display helps lawyers present complex cases step by step, even moment by moment. The display can include text alongside a variety of media such as pictures, audio, and video. Most importantly, the lawyer has total control over its interactive display, allowing counsel to stress the important points at exactly the right time.
Effective trial software, like Case Crafter, provides invaluable assistance to counsel during pretrial preparation, at mediation sessions, during settlement negotiations, and, ultimately, at trial. Whether the final destination is a mediation, a negotiated settlement, or a trial, Case Crafter has the core capabilities modern litigation teams need.
What is Trial Presentation Software and How Does it Help Litigation Teams
Case Crafter’s litigation software uses multimedia elements to organize demonstrative and admitted exhibits into something jurors can follow. It avoids the MEGO (“my eyes glaze over”) effect and keeps jurors engaged.
But Case Crafter is more than trial presentation software. Case Crafter also helps keep legal teams on the same page during the trial preparation process. That’s especially true in complex personal injury and commercial matters which require collaboration with outside professionals. These professionals contribute to the presentation timeline, but ultimately, the attorney in charge controls all access to the legal software.
Why Modern Litigation Teams Rely on Trial Presentation Software for Winning Results
Historically, plaintiff win rates in federal civil court cases have reached highs of 70%. Today, the win rate hovers below 35%.
So, modern litigation teams depend on trial software to give them the edge they need in the courtroom and around the negotiation table. Advocacy alone, no matter how effective, simply doesn’t cut it anymore. Case Crafter provides the trial software modern litigation teams need, whether they want to sway a jury, a judge, or a mediator.
Must-Have Features of Modern Trial Presentation Software for Law Firms
Case Crafter has created a legal timeline software as its tool for assisting lawyers in trial preparation and trial presentation. The software covers three core areas for trial work: a user-friendly interface, complete lawyer control, and eye-catching graphics.
It is a common quip among the legal community that most people go to law school because they cannot do math or science. We mentioned lawyer control above. No lawyer wants to share control with an IT professional or other technician. Case Crafter software provides drag-and-drop capability which allows attorneys and legal staff to maximize their time in using the case preparation software. Case Crafter also has a visually appealing display that requires very little practice to master.
What Role Does Trial Software Play in Courtroom Presentations?
Most civil and criminal cases do not suffer from a lack of evidence. Rather, they suffer from an inability to organize and present that evidence in a compelling way. Therefore, the “smoking gun” deposition, video, report, or other evidence is lost in the shuffle.
Trial preparation tools do not substitute for good evidence-collection practices. But Case Crafter’s software organizes evidence during the pretrial process so that lawyers can present the evidence in a compelling way during trial or mediation.
Case Crafter is a standalone courtroom presentation tool and a complete legal support solution. Legal teams use it from the moment the client walks in the door to the moment the case reaches its final conclusion. From start to finish, Case Crafter drives jurors – and the court – to the client’s point of view.
The Future of AI in Trial Presentation and Litigation Software
Artificial Intelligence makes a good thing better. For this reason, our developers are taking the lead on AI-assisted trial technology.
AI assistance is especially exciting for pro se litigants who use Case Crafter to effectively prepare and present their claims and defenses. Time-saving AI-driven legal timeline software will also be a boon for attorneys seeking to expand their areas of practice, perhaps from criminal defense to personal injury. In the not-too-distant future, artificial intelligence will create the skeletal structure for trial software. Lawyers (or litigants) must then use their skills to adapt the AI-assisted trial technology to a winning strategy for trial.
How Can Firms Evaluate and Choose the Right Trial Software?
Some important factors to consider in choosing the right trial software include cost, design, security, and presentation.
Case Crafter is cost competitive with other similar software packages. It’s primarily designed for small trial teams of 5 or less working together. These teams usually represent individual clients and small businesses unable to afford a large software support bill.
Additionally, Case Crafter was not designed by IT techs who have little or no experience practicing law. Instead, Case Crafter was designed in close collaboration with trial lawyers who use it every day. Our design team knows what attorneys need to accomplish.
Top 5 Features Every Trial Software Should Have
Scalable
Many legal timelines offer one-size-fits-all solutions. Case Crafter’s customizable timelines better address specific needs.
Cost-Effective
The least expensive legal timeline software usually isn’t the most cost-effective choice. In fact, the opposite is usually true. Case Crafter prices are not only cost effective they lay out everything upfront.
Exclusive Lawyer Control
Many legal support programs have preset features. Case Crafter gives lawyers complete control over everything from information input to information display.
Doesn’t Depend on WiFi
Courthouse WiFi is often spotty, at best. Since Case Crafter displays do not depend on WiFi, lawyers avoid technical glitches at critical moments.
Locally-Stored Files
Document security during pretrial preparations is essential for lawyers and clients. Case Crafter stores these files locally, keeping them away from hackers.
All these qualities are good, but they fall flat if the case preparation software does not cast visually compelling images onto a screen. As we continually improve Case Crafter, our design team never forgets that a lawyer-controlled effective presentation can make the difference between winning and losing the case at trial or mediation.
Trial Presentation Software FAQs: Answers to Common Questions from Lawyers and Litigation Teams
What does trial software do in litigation?
The ability to present evidence in a compelling and digestible way may be the most important litigation function of trial software. Presentation tools, such as highlights, callouts, and a laser pointer, draw attention to important facts. Trial software should also seamlessly integrate different file types, like PDFs, images, video, and audio. The best trial software also makes it easy to search evidence and find the key bit that’s fit for the moment.
How does trial software help the factfinder follow the case?
Trial software focuses seemingly diverse bits of evidence, such as expert reports and deposition transcripts, into a single timeline that’s easy for jurors and the court to follow. Perhaps more importantly, lawyers have complete control over this timeline and can adjust it in real time. Other benefits of trial software include a display that’s easy for the jury, judge, or mediator to follow, especially if the tool includes a timeline. Trial software also helps legal teams work more efficiently: Case Crafter keeps case materials in one place, making it easier to work with them and display them.
What are the key features of trial presentation tools?
The key features of trial presentation tools are a secure source, control over the display, and eye-catching visuals. While many people contribute to the pretrial process, the lawyer alone calls the shots at trial. Case Crafter’s trial presentation tools assist the trial lawyer in presenting a coherent and cohesive timeline that resonates in the courtroom.
Can trial software integrate with case management systems?
Case Crafter’s software doesn’t need to integrate with case management systems. Case Crafter is a self-contained, standalone legal support and trial presentation software program that’s fully compatible with Windows, Mac, and iPad operating systems.
Why is trial software important for modern law firms?
Many lawyers are still mired in the analog age. Case Crafter helps smaller teams bring case preparation and presentation into the digital age.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal advice.
