Films
are a great way to learn about the law and the legal system, but they’re not always an accurate portrayal of how things actually work in real life. Real-life courtrooms are much more chaotic and unpredictable than what you see on television or in the movies. There’s no playing out of scenes or set pieces, so witnesses and lawyers have to stay focused and speak clearly when they’re on the stand. The judge may also interrupt or correct you if you’re speaking too quickly which can throw off your rhythm and your argument.
Some people think that real-life courtrooms are boring, but there’s actually quite a bit of drama that happens behind closed doors. Judges and attorneys don’t always agree with each other, so they might try to one-up each other with witty remarks or insults.
Witnesses might be nervous about being called up to testify, and some people like to bait witnesses by asking them personal questions, or even just staring at them. And there are plenty of funny moments when witnesses accidentally contradict themselves or when they try to confuse the jury with confusing language.
Real-life courtroom drama is a lot more intense than the courtroom scenes you’ve probably seen in movies or TV shows. People in real life can face a lot of legal consequences, and the stakes are often much higher. The accused will not just be charged with a crime; they could end up on trial and go to jail, even if they’re found not guilty.
With this in mind, it’s important to be prepared for what you’ll see at trial. You should bring all your documents, evidence, and witnesses. You should know your case well, and be prepared to argue it aggressively. And you should never talk to jurors about your case or try to sway their decision one way or another, even if you think it might be what’s best for your client. All of these things can lead to serious consequences if you’re wrong, so keep them in mind at all times.
In real-life courtrooms, there are no scripts to follow, so much of what happens in a courtroom is completely unpredictable. The court drama is much more stressful than fictional court shows not just because the stakes are high, but because there’s a lot riding on every decision that the judge makes. Hire a court reporting service that knows how a real courtroom works, call CourtScribes!
