What Are Demonstrative Exhibits?
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In any courtroom, the quality and type of evidence presented to the jury play a massive role in determining who wins and loses a case. It’s important for everyone involved in trying a case to understand that not all evidence is created equal. There are different forms, two of which are “real” and “demonstrative.” Put simply, anything considered real evidence is directly derived from the facts that gave rise to the case, such as a photograph of an accident scene. By contrast, demonstrative exhibits help illustrate concepts during testimony or arguments, and may include accident reconstruction animations or models.
Demonstrative Exhibit Examples
Demonstrative exhibits can encompass any number of visible or audible representations, including objects, models, or displays. Legal teams may also use graphics, videos, and even sound bites or aids.
These types of exhibits are usually created specifically for the trial to supplement real evidence and aid in the accurate comprehension of witness or expert testimony.
Demonstrative exhibit incorporating X-rays to show severe ankle fractures.
3 Key Reasons Visuals Are Essential in Any Court Case
While demonstrative exhibits might sound like a bonus, it can often be crucial to the success of a case. Here are three important reasons demonstrative exhibits should be present in every modern courtroom.
1. Jurors Must Understand the Evidence
Before either party can persuade the jury that they have correct evidence, they must ensure that jurors understand the evidence they’ve presented. Unfortunately, this can be challenging when dealing with financial principles, medical diagnoses, manufacturing terms, or other complex subjects.
Demonstrative exhibits, such as animated crashing cars, helps jurors make sense of the evidence, avoiding scenarios where they’re forced to make up their own ideas about how the evidence fits into the case.
2. Legal Strategists Must Cater to Average Reading Levels
On average, parents of young children in the U.S. read at an 8th-grade level. Roughly a quarter of the population that makes up most juries dropped out of high school, and only 15% graduated college.
Many jurors may not be able to fully comprehend technical language. However, research suggests that they’ll likely interact better with visual content.
3. Attorneys Must Break Down Complex Concepts
Jurors are usually laypeople. Because they aren’t professionals, medical injuries, physics concepts, and technical engineering principles may feel foreign to them.
However, because the brain processes visual information 60,000 times faster than words and can retain up to 65% of what it sees three days after a presentation, visual assets are often the best way for legal teams to break down complicated information and ensure full comprehension.
Demonstrative animation showing tractor-trailer rear-ending pickup truck on highway.
Use Demonstrative Exhibits to Gain a Legal Advantage
Even if you recognize the need to employ demonstrative exhibits for your trial, obtaining them can be challenging. Fortunately, the High Impact team has got you covered. Over the course of two decades, we’ve created impeccable illustrations, courtroom animation graphics, and videos for countless cases.
Rather than relying on simple pictures or scans, we help promote clarity and understanding with animated demonstrations of injuries, medical conditions, and product functions. Our visuals can corroborate key witness testimony and serve as the backbone of a compelling case.
Contact us today to see how our full suite of visual asset services can help you as you move to the next phase in the legal process.
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