Question from a reader:
What effect does a statement have in court? It would be helpful if you could explain it specifically.

The Effect and Importance of Statements in Court

In court, statements play a very important role. Recently, a friend asked me, “What are statements used for?” The legal world may seem complex, but understanding the effect of statements reveals their
significance. Here, I will explain in detail the basic role of statements, their specific effects, and even actual case studies.

What is a Statement?

First, let’s start with the definition of a statement. A statement is a document in which parties or witnesses record their opinions or facts in a court case. Typically, statements are submitted to the court and serve to complement testimony in the courtroom. Since this document is treated as legal evidence, its content is extremely important. When I was working part-time at a judicial scrivener’s office, I assisted in creating statements. During that time, I organized the facts while listening to the client’s account. Summarizing the text while considering various elements, such as points that needed to be emphasized or, conversely, points to avoid, was very tense. From that experience, I felt the power that statements hold.

The Effects of Statements

So, what specific effects do statements have? Next, I will explain this in several points.

1. Clarification of Facts

Statements clarify the facts by organizing the claims of the parties and witnesses into written form. In court, a lot of information is exchanged, but statements play a role in extracting and organizing the important points within that information. This makes discussions in the courtroom smoother. In a case I was involved in, accurately summarizing the client’s claims in the statement made it easier for the judge to understand those facts, ultimately leading to a favorable judgment. By presenting clear facts, the judge has more materials to base their decisions on.

2. Presentation of Legal Grounds

Statements can also include legal grounds to support one’s claims. This allows the party to explain to the judge and the opposing side how justified their position is. Logic is very important in the legal world. By reinforcing one’s claims with legal grounds, the persuasiveness increases. For example, in a commercial litigation case, the client claimed that their product infringed on a patent. The statement included specific examples of the infringement and relevant laws, thereby strengthening the client’s position. As a result, the opposing side had no choice but to take that claim seriously.

3. Strengthening the Credibility of Witnesses

When a witness submits a statement, it can also strengthen that witness’s credibility. A statement serves as a means to show how seriously the witness is presenting the facts. Particularly when a witness prepares a statement in advance and details it thoroughly, the court tends to place more importance on that testimony. By the way, in a case handled at the office where I worked part-time, the fact that the witness had prepared a statement in advance proved beneficial. The witness was able to organize their memories more easily, and as a result, their testimony in court became clearer, making it easier for the judge to trust what the witness said.

Actual Case Study

Here, I would like to introduce an actual case study. A small to medium-sized enterprise was involved in a dispute with another company over product patent rights. In this case, the company’s representative submitted a statement asserting patent infringement. First, the statement detailed the specific features of the product and the content of the patent. Furthermore, by clearly demonstrating the differences from the other company’s product, the company’s claims were strengthened. Because this statement was submitted, the judge was able to understand the facts more easily, ultimately leading to a victory for the company. What can be learned from this case is how effective a strategy a statement can be. Even without legal professionals, if one can organize and convey the facts in their own words, they can advance their position favorably in court.

In Conclusion

Statements play an important role in court. They have various effects, such as clarifying facts, presenting legal grounds, and strengthening the credibility of witnesses. Success in court depends not only on legal knowledge but also on effective communication. If you ever have the opportunity to make a claim in court, I recommend organizing your thoughts and facts and creating a statement. It can be a significant force supporting your claims. While there may be many uncertainties in the legal world, I believe that having the right information can help protect your position.