Glossary
Opening statement
A short presentation each side gives at the start of a trial, previewing what they expect the evidence will show. Opening statements are not arguments: they're roadmaps.
The plaintiff (or prosecutor) goes first. Then the defendant. Each side gets to outline their version of events: who the witnesses will be, what documents the jury will see, and what the evidence is supposed to prove.
What lawyers can't do in opening statements is argue the law or characterize what the evidence "really means." The judge will sustain objections to anything that crosses from preview into argument. Save the persuasion for closing.