Don’t end up like this poor fellow!
Here he is in the heat of trial.
He’s trying to offer documents he’s been counting on to win his case.
He’s trying to present them for the first time on the day of the trial.
Big mistake!
His documents can do nothing unless and until they are admitted as “admissible evidence”.
He will lose … needlessly!
He thought he’d be tricky and surprise his opponents.
He hid his “evidence”, waiting till the last minute to “spring it” on his opponent at trial, hoping it would be too late for his opponent to respond effectively.
Bad idea!
Ambush rarely works at trial … no matter what you see on TV or in the movies.
If you don’t get your evidence in before trial, you’ll likely not get it in at all.
Then you will lose … needlessly!
Why not be prepared?
You only get one bite at the trial apple.
Why wait till trial to test evidence for admissibility.
Never trust what a witness promises she will say.
Never trust that a document will be admitted … even if it’s sealed with royal wax imprinted by a king’s ring and draped with silk ribbons.
If you assume you have “evidence” to spring on your opponent at trial, you are playing a dangerous game, risking everything for no advantage whatever.
If you wait to present “secret evidence” at trial, you’re betting on the wrong horse!
Evidence that isn’t admitted isn’t evidence!
Authenticate before trial.
Learn how at How to Win in Court
See what users are saying ⇒