TRIAL PREPARATION – WHEN TRIAL IS SCHEDULED

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WHEN A TRIAL IS SCHEDULED:

  1. PUT TRIAL DATES AND PRE-TRIAL DATES ON THE CALENDAR ASAP
  2. EMAIL OFFICE MANAGER THAT TRIAL HAS BEEN SET AND THE DATE
  3. DO TASKS: Pre-Trial Statement (Parenting/Financial Statement Due 7 days prior)

Set up Trial Prep dates with client (1 APPOINTMENT BY PHONE 2 WEEKS OR LONGER BEFORE TRIAL)

1 APPOINTMENT IN OFFICE 1 WEEK BEFORE TRIAL

DO NOT SCHEDULE TRIAL PREP A DAY OR 2 BEFORE TRIAL! Do so long before that.

  1. Figure when the Exhibit and Witness List are due (look at Scheduling Order, if no Scheduling Order, email the Court Reporter to ask what they have on their schedule to align dates or look at Scheduling Statement that was filed when the case began that is required by the Court) – put tasks on and also do calendar event when the Witness and Exhibit List are due!
  2. Put task on 3 weeks PRIOR to when Exhibit & Witness Lists are Due – you need to have the conversation with JCK about what is appropriate for Witnesses and Exhibits – email client to start asking for witnesses and collecting exhibits (see example Witness and Exhibits List for appropriate case DISSOLUTION – EXHIBIT LIST WITNESS LIST PATERNITY/CUSTODY – EXHIBIT LIST WITNESS LIST)
  3. Put task on for 2 weeks PRIOR when Exhibit & Witness List are due to have conversation with client about how they are coming with their Witnesses & Exhibits (most of the Exhibits we already collected in the Discovery Folder – review Discovery Folder and let client know what you need updated example: paystubs; insurance; pictures of new place, etc.) CAREFUL – DOUBLE CHECK IF WE ARE THE PETITIONER OR RESPONDENT – IF PETITIONER YOU START WITH #1; IF RESPONDENT YOU EITHER START WITH #100 (double check the you have tabby to correspond for the binder)
  4. Put task on for 1 week PRIOR to when Exhibit & Witnesses List are due to start on the Lists and create separate folder for TRIAL EXHIBITS and create sub folders and label Exhibit 1 and beginning colleting and organizing.
  5. Put task for 3 days prior to finish Lists – send to client for approval – give to JCK for approval. File with the Court either on the due date or before.

GETTING READY FOR TRIAL:

  1. 2 weeks prior to Trial; prepare Trial Exhibits by labeling all pages (see Exhibit sample EXHIBIT 1) with the Exhibit stickers and 3 hole punch and put in binder with tabbys and put filed Exhibit List in the front of the binder and give to JCK for approval. This is for JCK’s approval and review and will be used for the office appt. with the client for trial prep. CAREFUL – WATCH FOR WHAT EXIBITS NEED TO BE PRINTED IN COLOR.
  2. 3 days prior to Trial; scan your Exhibits together and save to the Trial Exhibit folder. Print 2 other copies and 3 hole punch.  Create 2 other binders for the OPA and the Judge. CAREFUL – WATCH FOR WHAT EXHIBITS NEED TO BE PRINTED IN COLOR (color printer with Shelly or Brittany).
  3. DAY BEFORE TRIAL – plug in computer; pack your bag – Trial Binders; Kleenex; pads of paper; pens; water; candy.