Psychology is likely not something many think of when it comes to litigation, or even legal issues in general. However, as the scientific study of mind and behavior, psychology is connected to much of what we do and can play a unique role in the courtroom.
Two examples of how legal psychology influences litigation
Legal psychology specifically can lead to a more effective litigation strategy to understand certain behaviors that lead to the legal dispute in question. It can also be used to analyze those involved in the courtroom, like jurors and witnesses.
Below we break down two main examples of how legal psychology can positively influence complex legal matters, including litigation.
- By helping to identify the right jurors: Certain types of lawsuits may require the presence of a jury. The personal experiences and belief systems of individual jurors can have a major impact on the overall outcome of a case. Therefore, partnering with an attorney who understands legal psychology and can ask the right questions during jury selection can be invaluable for those embroiled in a legal dispute.
- By assisting with expert witnesses: Expert witnesses are outside professionals with specialized knowledge in a field related to the case. Expert witness testimony can help build up or tear down the credibility of a case. Depending on the specifics of the dispute, expert witnesses could range from IT experts to medical professionals to psychologists and more. Understanding legal psychology can be beneficial to evaluate different candidates for the role of expert witness or to play off of the testimony provided by expert witnesses.
How Lesak Legal integrates legal psychology into our litigation strategy
Those familiar with legal psychology can build a more compelling case in court. They can handle negotiations more effectively. They can even potentially identify warning signs that someone involved in negotiations or testifying in court has lied.
At Lesak Legal, our attorneys have the experience and resources to integrate legal psychology into our clients’ litigation strategies when appropriate. We do this in a cost-effective manner, without escalating our clients’ legal fees. When invoking legal psychology at any point in a case could be useful, we will suggest and discuss this potential value-add with our clients.
Partnering with the right legal support and utilizing tools like legal psychology can often improve the chances of a favorable outcome in a complex legal matter. Reach out to the attorneys at Lesak Legal today to discuss if legal psychology could be influential in your situation.