Looking At The Importance Of Exhibit Labels For Legal Documents

Lawyers are no doubt, busy people.

Some lawyers and firms have as many as nearly 200 cases open on the books at any time. This can make keeping track of items and legal documents more difficult for paralegals, assistants, and lawyers themselves.

Exhibit labels are an easy way to organize evidence in a trial so that the jury or judge can see what it is you're referring to in the complaint or pleading. But, with proper organization, it can make the entire case incredibly confusing.

In this article, we'll discuss the importance of exhibit labels, and why your firm should always use professional labels.

Read on for more information.

What is an Exhibit?

If you're a lawyer or a paralegal, you likely already know what an exhibit is. But, if you're just starting out, it may be a bit confusing.

While the word exhibit might conjure up a museum, who uses the same word as short for exhibition, it is a bit different.

An exhibit in the legal sense is any piece of evidence entered into the case for the trial. An exhibit may include a photograph of the crime scene, results of a DNA test or an actual object itself, such as a knife or gun.

In order to make the trial clear and simple for the jurors, you'll need to exhibit labels to keep the process as smooth as possible.

What are Exhibit Labels?

You've likely seen a television show or watched a film in which the characters ask the jury or judge to look at "Exhibit A." That's where the labels come in.

Once you've collected all of the evidence you'll be using for the trial or judgment, you need to label it efficiently so that it can be accessed. You'll need to use labels to write down numbers or letters.

Most paralegals will stick the labels onto the exhibits themselves if they can do so without damaging it. For example, if the evidence is a glove, the glove may be placed in a bag so that it is not further damaged or that the DNA on it is not wiped off. You may be able to place a sticker on the outside of the bag.

If the evidence is a photograph, you'll likely take the photograph with the label clearly inside of it, or a corresponding number, so that the jury understands what they're looking at. For example, if there are hair and blood next to one another at the crime scene and you use a photo to demonstrate how close they were, you may use labels to photograph it when you take the picture. These are typically plastic numbers or letters that you place next to the evidence and then take the photo.

You'll then stick a label onto the photo itself, giving the photo a number or letter to clarify for the jury.

In essence, exhibit labels make it easier for the jury and judge to see what it is you're talking about.

How Does the Jury or Judge Keep Track of the Labels?

When you enter evidence into court and have photographs or objects as part of the evidence, this will go into the declaration, affidavit a pleading or any other types of legal documents.

You'll explain what each exhibit is in the document, as they correspond to the labels.

For example, if you have a glove found at the scene, and it has been labeled Exhibit C, you'll write this within a legal document. It will read something like: "Exhibit C, Size 3 grey Tom Ford glove found at the scene of the crime with the defendant's DNA."

This makes it easier for the jury or the judge to see all of the evidence your party is entering so that they can make the proper decision.

Why are the Exhibit Labels So Important?

Exhibit labels are paramount in a trial because the evidence is often what makes or breaks a case. A jury or a judge often make their decision based on the evidence presented to them, and without evidence being presented in a clear manner, it can get easy to confuse what's what.

In essence, your entire case can actually hinge on your exhibit labels. If you use exhibit labels that fall off easily, that stick to other items, or that don't allow you to print the letter or number clearly, it can make things too confusing for the judge or jury.

A confusing document can mean that the judge or jury won't follow your argument or the evidence, and may rule in the other party's favor.

Using Professional Exhibit Labels

Professional exhibit labels have two important aspects: they stay on the item you've labeled and they allow you to label the item clearly. You don't want to use a label company that makes subpar labels: imagine coming into the trial only to find that half of your exhibit stickers have fallen off.

There's already so much to worry about when preparing a convincing argument for your client. The labels sticking on the exhibit items shouldn't be one of them.

Getting It Right the First Time

Our exhibit labels are made by professionals who understand the importance of quality products. Exhibit Indexes only stocks and creates the best items so that you can rest easy when your office makes an order. You won't be looking for alternatives the night before: instead, once you get everything organized, it'll stay organized, thanks to our high-quality products.

Click here to see all of our exhibit labels and stickers.