Question. Pause. Answer. Stop. That’s the unnatural rhythm of the witness environment. And there are rules for witnesses during the first three steps.

Tagged with: witness witnesses

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.

Tagged with: witness witnesses

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.

Tagged with: witness witnesses

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.

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Witnesses have both a right and a responsibility to insist on clear and fair questions.

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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.

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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.

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When someone is called as a witness in any kind of legal matter, it’s usually a new and disturbing experience.

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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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