COVID-19 What Does this Mean for Trials

So the Florida Supreme Court's June 4, 2021 Administrative Order, AOSC21-17 finds that the COVID-19 vaccines "are adequately available in Florida for persons ages 12 and older." In essence, the order indicates that "the wearing of face masks and physical distancing are not required during in-person court proceedings ..." starting June 21, 2021. However, if one is not comfortable, a participant can still request and use a mask during an in-person court proceeding. In addition, each chief judge of their respective Judicial Circuit can request uniform protocols regarding clear masks, etc.

Basically what this means for trial attorneys is that not only do you have to deal with: 1) knowing your case back and forth; 2) preparing your line of questioning; 3) preparing for trial re: deposition line summaries, subpoenas, etc. 4) identifying you strategy; 5) preparing your opening and closing statements, and 6) the myriad of issues that goes into getting ready for trial. YOU STILL HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE COMPLYING WITH COVID-19 RULES IN EACH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.

With regards to exhibits - how is this relevant? Well ... jurors have to each have their own set of exhibits. This can be done by printing off a copy of exhibits for each juror. Jurors will no longer be able to ask for that medical record, document, board, etc. due to cross-contamination.

A quick and easy solution - make sure to use multimedia technology tpo show the exhibits, videos, deposition, etc. We all know that if jurors receive a stack of exhibits, they are likely not going to comb through each exhibit. By displaying the exhibits on a large screen and.or individual screens for each computer you are ensured that you showed the exhibit, the importance of the exhibit, and where to locate the exhibit in "stack of exhibits."

APVisuals with is over 20+ years of creating, preparing, and drafting of demonstrative trial exhibits, has the knowledge and expertise to help you satisfy the threshold of substantial similarity when creating demonstrative exhibits for your case and complying with each Court's COVID regulations and restrictions. APVisuals has assisted attorneys in Duval, Miami-Dade and Broward County present trial exhibits since March of 2021. f you are headed to mediation or trial in the near future, just call us to discuss how we can help you. We look forward to working with you on your next case.