During Cross-Examination
Advice for preparing:
Advice for presenting:
- Learn the case thoroughly, especially your witness statement.
- Anticipate what you will be asked on cross-examination and prepare answers accordingly. In other words, isolate all possible weaknesses, inconsistencies, and problems in your testimony, and be prepared to explain them.
- Practice, Practice, Practice!
Advice for presenting:
- Be as relaxed and in control as possible. And appearance of confidence and trustworthiness is important.
- Be sure that your testimony is never inconsistent with the facts set forth in the witness statement.
- Don't read or recite your witness statements word for word.
- Cross-Examination can be tough, so don't get flustered.
- Your job as a witness is to tell the truth as you know it about what happened. It is not your job to be an advocate for your side (i.e., do not argue with opposing counsel).