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"Cross-Examination: A Refresher"

Posted by Evan Schaeffer: "At his weblog Plaintiff Trial Lawyer Tips, Paul Luvera has been posting on cross-examination, always of interest to trial lawyers--plaintiff or defense.

Luvera has two recent posts:

Five Steps of Preparation for Cross-Examination. The five steps are fully explained in the post--

·                 Determine the goals.

·                 Divide goals into individual topics.

·                 Document the cross examination.

·                 Use Role Reversal.

·                 Divide the cross examination into chapters.

 

Basic Cross-Examination Principles. Again, these basic principles are explained in the full post--

 

·                 Make big points and ignore the details.

·                 Tell the jury what you just did.

·                 Approach cross examination from a big picture viewDon't answer every defense issue.

·                 Be consistent and stick to the main story.

·                 Meet major defenses head on.

·                 The right to ask leading questions is a gift. Use it.

·                 Listen, listen, listen.

·                 When impeaching, make sure you lay a foundation first.

·                 Be Brief

·                 Make your point and quit.

·                 Be firm but fair.

 

If you like these two posts, Luvera also has a few other posts about cross-examination here, plus lots of other useful information on the rest of his weblog."

The active links are available at the source site listed below.

Source: The Trial Practice Tips Weblog, 19 May 2009

Full post as published by Stark County Law Library Blawg on May 20, 2009 (boomark / email).