Trials Move Fast

George F. Will wrote,

Of all the silly and sentimental things said about baseball, none is sillier than the description of the game as 'unhurried' or 'leisurely.' . . . There is barely enough time between pitches for all the thinking that is required, and that the best players do, in processing the changing information about the crucial variables.

The same thing might be said of trials. From the point of view of a spectator (or a juror), a trial moves glacially. The lawyers go through esoteric procedures to get documents into evidence, ask witnesses repetitive questions, and take frequent breaks to argue points of law.
From the point of view of the lawyers (and the judge), a trial is a relentless procession of snap decisions--several per minute. It's exciting and exhausting. I'm glad I have a job that gets me into the courtroom from time to time, but I'd hate to do it every day.