In February 2020, at the beginning of the awareness of Covid-19, I attended a large conference with well over 200 people in attendance.
During lunch, I sat at a table next to an intelligent man and we had a conversation about our jobs and serving as an expert “in the field”. His field is neuropsychology and mine is forensic rehabilitation.
Both interesting jobs involving brainwork, don’t you agree?
During our conversation, I explained how I want my courtroom testimony to be communicated to the jury in plain language so it is understood the first time they hear it.
The audience I’m communicating with is in no way, shape or form dumb, they simply don’t have “forensic expertise”. But, they do have really good listening skills!
I deliver my opinion using a matter of fact strategy that makes sense. This is rather easy for me, because I am a simple, basic person who has studied the case at hand indepth & with no sticky fingers!
I’m no dum-dum either
We continued to discuss how some experts use complicated language in court. It seems that expert wants the jury to believe the expert has incredible intelligence and cryptic knowledge of a complicated subject matter.
I see this as a misguided attempt to manipulate the audience about how to view the facts. And I’m pretty sure each juror can see through the muck too! My lunch mate seemed to know the type of expert I was referring to.
I love it when Perry Mason eviscerates a pompous, stuffy “expert” on the witness stand!
My belief is that jurors deserve to hear the facts in a truthful, clear and simple manner. Yes, my lunch mate agreed. He summed it up by saying “jurors know the difference between corn and soybeans.” In other words, give us the facts and let us decide which is which because that’s our job in this case.
For fun, I did a little research on Dum Dums
The spherical lollipops originated from Akron Candy Company in Bellevue, Ohio, in 1924. The sales manager of the company, named them, thinking “Dum Dums” was a phrase any child could say.
Initially, there were 7 flavors: lemon, lime, orange, coconut-pineapple, cherry, grape, and butterscotch. Dum Dums are now made in 16 flavors, with new flavors rotating into the mix every so often.
The “Mystery Flavor”
The “Mystery Flavor” is the result of the end of one batch mixing with the next batch, rather than stopping production to clean machines in between flavors. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dum_Dums_(lollipop)
You can tell this decision saved time, and allowed the company to be creative with their product which likely increased interest and ultimately sales! Talk about not being a dum-dum!
Also, just FYI; if you have any Dum-Dums wrappers left, send them in ASAP because, after nearly 70 years, Dum Dums lollipops will be ending its program to exchange wrappers for toys and prizes. The company’s mail in program, which began in 1953, will come to an end on May 31, 2020. Sorry if you missed out on that timeline!
No more regulation-size rubber baseball and metal wastebasket that could be acquired for 15 cents and 15 wrappers…the “Dum Dums Wastebasket Deal”. I’m sure you’ve seen, or even had one similar, to play basketball in your office space.
Any legal decision is all about: what can be done to answer questions, solve problems, use time wisely, and make or save $$$ in a lawsuit. Because I work on the plaintiff or the defense side, my forensic work helps in any court case. Contact me and we can discuss your case. I’m here to help attorneys help their clients.
If you want a dum dum, I’ll be happy to provide one to you on a stick. Do you agree watermelon flavor is tasty?!
If you want an expert, I’ll be happy to send you information on retaining me as an expert.
Either way, let me know about your case and I’ll let you know how I might be able to help you help your client on the case!
Thank you for reading my dum dum post!
Here’s another post titled Don’t be a Dumb Bunny! In this post, I write about using your soft skills…another valuable skill to use in a court room!
5/25/2021 update. When I received my 2nd Covid vaccination. I turned down the pharmacist’s post prick offering of a dum dum! Can you believe it?!? It’s true!
Contact me, Amy E Botkin, to discuss your case Vocational Resources Plus, LLC * 515-778-0634 * amyebotkin@lcpresourcesplus.com
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My professional consulting practice focuses on helping attorneys help their clients with civil litigation matters.
Perry Mason always has someone who jumps up at the end of the show and states, Yes I killed so and so. I have seen numerous Perry Mason shows and very few times I have seen a jury. Many of the times it is a hearing with the judge and the DA (Hamilton Burger) and Defense Attorney (Perry Mason). I also have to disagree with you Root Beer is the best flavor.
Watermelon is not the best flavor. In my opinion, by far and away rootbeer is the best flavor. I wonder if the mystery flavor is because they never clean the machines? I like your office mate too. Mollie is great companion to work with, she has great advice and a wiggle of the nose to make you smile!