Lawyers Weekly Books

The new Jury Trial Benchbook, Third Edition is being officially distributed by the Flaschner Judicial Institute to every judge in Massachusetts who handles jury trials, to be used as a “playbook” for answering any possible question about trial issues. It’s a work you’ll want on your desk and in your briefcase whenever you go to court. (And if you don’t go to court frequently, you’ll especially want the one book with all the answers!)

The Benchbook has been completely rewritten and updated for 2016. You’ll get detailed, authoritative answers on:
* . Attorney-conducted voir dire (alone worth the price of the book)
* . Every facet of jury instructions

* . What’s now okay and what’s not in mentioning damages in closing argument

* . Juror notebooks

* . Jury questionnaires

* . Expert witness issues

* . What crosses the line in opening statements

* . Model voir dire questions for numerous specific issues and circumstances

* . How to resolve all sorts of common impanelment problems

* . Peremptory challenges

* . Juror colloquies

* . Model jury instructions

* . Judges’ tips for the most effective use of jurors

* . And practical guidance on dozens of other topics

Plus, everything is backed up with citations to relevant statutes, cases and court rules.

The Benchbook is written by Judge Peter Lauriat and Judge Douglas Wilkins – two of the state’s best-known and most respected experts on jury trials.