u/Ok_Possession9631

Thanks to everyone for all their advice! For people in similar situations, in your opening statement to judge make sure you speak FACTS only. What happened and WHEN. No emotion, no unnecessary details. If you have contracts or any necessary documentation, refer to them in your opening and highlight key points. Write notes so you don’t forget anything.
Do NOT interrupt when defendant is speaking and try your best to not get flustered. Stay calm and composed. Not only does that give you credibility with judge, but irks the other party so bad 🤣
And Be honest because if you’re caught in a single lie you will lose so much credibility.

In opening statements to judge, should you mention how defendant violated their contract? Or just stick to what happened and when?

If no, is it okay to provide the contract to judge with highlighted points? I don’t want to overstep

Repost:
Without getting into much detail, I’m suing a business for taking my money and providing ZERO services and refusing to refund me unless I sign a gag order. I have contracts, reciepts, text messages and emails of our back and forth. I spoke to a friend who works as a paralegal who read through all the contracts and documents and she said I have a very strong case and will very likely win, but I’m soo nervous.

I have 30+ pages of labeled and organized documentation and a summary sheet I will be reading off of to the judge with only bullet points of what occurred and when. No emotions or extra bs.

Anything else I should know to strengthen my case?

Update : I WON!! I was not nervous at all and only told facts. Defendant was all over the place rambling, lying and judge saw right through the BS 🤣 thank you everyone for your help!!

I have anxiety speaking in crowds and don’t want to forget anything. Please give your best advice !

Without getting into much detail, I’m suing a business for taking my money and providing ZERO services and refusing to refund me. I have contracts, reciepts, text messages and emails of our back and forth. I spoke to a friend who works as a paralegal who read through all the contracts and documents and she said I have a very strong case and will very likely win, but I’m soo nervous. I get so shy talking in front of crowds and I’m worried I’m gonna choke and make myself look dumb or forget to say important things ( although I will have notes ready). Does anyone have any advice? Thank you!

Edit: how long do I have to speak before the judge? Is 1 page of notes/ my script too much?

Update : I WON!! I was not nervous at all and only told facts. Defendant was all over the place rambling, lying and judge saw right through the BS 🤣 thank you everyone for your help!!

Please help😭 this is a repost bc no one replied to the first one :(