State Bar of Wisconsin's video: Effective Closing Argument Strategies

Criminal defense attorney Jessa Nicholson-Goetz makes it a habit to discuss the important issues in a case during jury selection, long before she gives her closing argument. “Jury selection is the only part of your case where you get to talk with a juror,” Nicholson-Goetz said. “You get to have an actual conversation … rather than just being in a lecturer position, like in a closing.” Nicholson-Goetz is scheduled to be one of the presenters at the State Bar of Wisconsin’s second annual Forensic Justice Institute. She’ll talk about effective strategies for voir dire, as well as how to craft effective closing arguments. Nicholson-Goetz said she’ll discuss “how to put passion and persuasion into what can be some pretty dry conversations” about jury instructions. For instance, Nicholson-Goetz said, during voir dire she might discuss witness credibility or circumstantial evidence with prospective jurors. “I like to talk to my juries about ‘How do you know when people are telling you the truth?’” Nicholson-Goetz said. “I talk to them about those issues as early as I can.” Attend the Forensic Justice Institute Obtain more insights on forensic evidence at the second annual Forensic Justice Institute, a collaboration between the Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences and State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE®, a virtual event taking place Jan. 19-20. Check out the schedule or register now https://www.wisbar.org/FJI/2023/Pages/Home.aspx