Legal Definitions - summation

Summation is the final argument made by a lawyer in a trial. It is given to the judge or jury and is used to persuade them to rule in favor of their client. Unlike an opening statement, which only previews what the evidence will show, a summation can argue the facts and ask the judge or jury to draw conclusions based on the evidence presented.

In a criminal trial, the defense attorney may use their summation to argue that their client is innocent because there is not enough evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. They may also point out inconsistencies in the prosecution's case and highlight any weaknesses in the evidence presented.

Another example could be in a civil trial, where the plaintiff's attorney may use their summation to argue that their client deserves compensation for damages caused by the defendant's actions. They may present evidence of the harm caused and argue that the defendant is responsible for paying for the damages.

These examples illustrate how summation is used to make a final argument in a trial and persuade the judge or jury to rule in favor of their client.