Practice GIVING CREDIBLE TESTIMONY
1. It’s a good idea to provide the information the lawyer seems to want to know, even if he or she has not yet asked you a direct question.
_______ True _______ False
False.
Don’t volunteer any information. It’s the lawyer’s job to ask questions that will elicit the information. If he or she doesn’t do it, it’s a lost opportunity. Too bad for the lawyer.
2. It never hurts to elaborate on your answer.
_______ True _______ False
False.
Elaborating on your answer is the same thing as volunteering information. Wait for a specific question instead.
3. If you know about a document that the lawyer taking your testimony hasn’t shown you, you should mention it.
_______ True _______ False
False.
Again, don’t volunteer information.
4. You should reply promptly to the lawyer’s questions.
_______ True _______ False
False.
Do not reply until you have thought over the question. Take your time if you need to.
5. If your lawyer objects, don’t answer the question unless your lawyer tells you that you can answer.
_______ True _______ False
True.
The objection may force the other lawyer to change the question or to drop the subject. Again, don’t volunteer!
6. If you don’t understand a question, you should ask the lawyer to rephrase it.
_______ True _______ False
True.
Make sure you clearly understand every question.
7. If you don’t remember something, you should just say so.
_______ True _______ False
If you don’t remember, you don’t remember. That’s the truth.
8. You should make a little joke from time to time to break up the tension.
_______ True _______ False
False.
First, your little jokes will be transcribed, without the benefit of your tone of voice, your expression, or your gestures. It will almost surely be misinterpreted or twisted to your disadvantage. Second, the other lawyer probably doesn’t have a keen sense of humor during testimony.Third, the tension in the room is not your problem. Stay on task.