If you’ve been involved in any legal proceedings, then you’ve likely heard the term “sidebar.” But what does “sidebar” mean in a legal context?
In its simplest terms, a sidebar is a brief, private discussion between a judge and lawyer—outside of the earshot and presence of a jury—which is intended to discuss some element of a case that they don’t want jurors to hear. Sidebars are especially common in criminal cases.
In other words, a sidebar is an opportunity for a judge to privately discuss a legal issue with counsel without jurors being privy to that conversation. It’s an important safeguard that allows lawyers to explain legal elements to the court without disclosing vital information to the jury—something that could potentially sway their thinking outside of the legal facts at hand.
Corporations Use Sidebars as Well
Sidebar conversations don’t just happen in courtrooms; corporations may also use the practice during research studies or when applying for patents. A “corporate sidebar” is a meeting between representatives of different companies to discuss an issue out of earshot of the general public.
This type of sidebar may be used to discuss potential partnerships or corporate alliances, or it may be employed just to discuss information that the companies don’t want to make public. As such, corporate sidebars are incredibly important for protecting the private information and intellectual property of any company.
The Power of Sidebars
Sidebars provide an important opportunity for attorneys to protect vital information in order to ensure justice is served. By removing jurors from the equation, lawyers can explain complex elements of a case without the risk of influencing the jury’s decision. In a corporate setting, sidebars also keep conversations and agreements from being made public—safeguarding the information of participating companies.