A trial focus group is a small group of people selected to represent potential jurors. Such groups get together to hear issues, facts, and arguments related to a lawsuit. The group members then provide feedback that helps trial lawyers make appropriate decisions during trial and discovery.

Any experienced Miami trial image consultant will tell you how important trial focus groups are.

How do focus groups help?

When used correctly, focus groups can provide invaluable insight to trial lawyers. A focus group can help identify the strengths of a case and enable lawyers to deal with the weaknesses effectively. A trial focus group can also help probe opinions necessary for making good litigation decisions.

Here are other ways that trial focus groups can help:

Get a local perspective

Group members of a trial focus group such as the Jacksonville trial focus group can evaluate the facts of a case, disputed and undisputed. By using local focus group members, you can discover insights that are unique to people living in that area.

Evaluate facts from a non-lawyer perspective

Lawyers tend to look at facts from a legal perspective. Lay people may not evaluate facts in the same way. A trial focus group helps to get the opinion of people whose judgment is not driven by laws and regulations.

Determine the strongest theme

Any case could have multiple themes. Lawyers look for the strongest or the most effective theme around which to build the case. When used right, a focus group could help determine the most effective theme for a case. Sometimes, they may help you discover an entirely new theme.

To make the most of a focus group, you should never let them know of the theme you have in mind. Just provide the basic facts of the case to see which theme resonates the most with them.

Identify prevalent biases

Jurors are normal people, and they may also carry biases like normal people. Trial focus groups can help you identify prevalent biases that jurors may have against your client. Identifying these biases can help you figure out the best way to overcome the problems they create.

Evaluate trial exhibits

Trial exhibits refer to physical or documentary evidence brought before the jury. They can be critical to any case, but developing trial exhibits can be difficult. Whether you create your trial exhibits in-house, or by a professional, it is important to get feedback on them before a trial. You may think that an exhibit is clear and understandable, but it may not be clear enough for jurors.

A trial focus group can help you understand if the exhibit makes any sense. You will also be able to figure out if it helps your case.

Evaluate damages

Another benefit of a focus group is that it can help you review the plaintiff's damages. You will also be able to determine which elements resonate with the jurors and which do not. Some jurors may find certain elements of damages important, while others may focus on other elements. A focus group may not help assess the extent of damages, but they can help you identify which elements of damages have the most relevant value.

Prepare for trial

Preparation is crucial for any trial, and the more you present the facts and arguments before trial, the better prepared you will be. When you use a focus group, you need to present the facts of the case in front of them. As you present your case to them, you will learn which are the important parts and which parts can be summarized.

A focus group gives you the opportunity to present your case in front of a live audience. By doing so, you are much more well-prepared for your opponent's case.

Using a trial focus group early on in the case can help you make your case stronger. By conducting the focus group in the early discovery stage, you can learn a lot more about the case. It will help you develop evidence and themes in the time leading up to the trial. Using focus groups need not be expensive. You can consider it as a day when people who are not lawyers tell you about the issues from their perspective.