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The code of silence
Question. Pause. Answer. Stop. That’s the unnatural rhythm of the witness environment. And there are rules for witnesses during the first three steps.
Making an impact on a witness
In past columns, I’ve talked about the “10 Rules” for witnesses as a way to help bridge the wide gap between normal conversation and communicating in a witness environment. The first is easy and natural; the second is difficult and unnatural — and treacherous. The language, rhythm and goals of each are very different.
Tell witnesses to be themselves on the stand
Tell your witness: Get off your stage and talk with people, as a real person. It can be hard to do, but it is necessary.
There’s no guessing as a witness
One of the most obvious rules for witnesses is also one of the most difficult for people in everyday life: If you don’t remember, say so.
The witness’ four magic words
Witnesses have both a right and a responsibility to insist on clear and fair questions.
7 deadly sins of witness preparation
Law schools may do a good job of teaching legal principles and theory, but they often ignore the true focus of real world legal practice: the client.
What it means to prepare a witness
Too many lawyers — including some very good ones — don’t prepare witnesses adequately because they fail to understand that being a witness is dramatically different than anything else the client has experienced.
An unprepared witness is a lost witness
When someone is called as a witness in any kind of legal matter, it’s usually a new and disturbing experience.
NJ Supreme Court ruling could affect eyewitness IDs across the country
A recent decision from the New Jersey Supreme Court that found existing state procedures for eyewitness identification invalid could have a major impact in other jurisdictions.
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WLJ People
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