I am officially one week out from my jury trial on the first of five aggravated burglaries with the same client. And that is how I feel. Anxious. Nervous. Excited. Going to trial is a nerve-wrecking experience. Imagine the stage fright you had the first time you went on stage for that play, or that speech. Or when your team is down at the bottom of the 9th inning, 2 outs and you are up to bat. A jury trial is kind of like that. You have a Judge watching you, ready to rule on the objections you make. You have a Client watching you, knowing that their freedom is (somewhat) held in your hands. You have a Jury, listening (hopefully) to every word that comes out of your mouth, and based on that, deciding the future of the person whom you represent. Sounds like a lot of pressure, right? It is.
But do you remember how good you felt when you delivered line after line, right on time, flowing smoothly out of your mouth until the last word was completed and you could then be silent and accept the applause of the audience (and they did applaud you, right)? Or when you hit that bases-loaded homerun and took your team to victory, imagining the day your jersey would be hung in some stadium, some hall of fame somewhere? That is also what a jury trial feels like.
I can’t wait for next week. The whole time feeling anxious, nervous, excited…
3 Comments
It’s good to be nervous… But pretend the trial’s a broadway play and you’re the star. Take center stage.
Have a plan to win. I’m guessing you’re appointed and, from the fact you mention multiple trials, your may something of an underdog. Regardless, have a plan designed to win. If you have to take chances, take chances; if you have to throw ten hail mary’s in a row, do it. Oh, and have fun!
In any event, good luck!
Just dropping by to say hello!
I can’t imagine how anxious you are, and best of luck to you!!! Will peek back to see how everything went….
Sounds awesome, Ashley! All adventures should be at least half scary and half exciting. Good luck!