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Cross-X: How quickly do you go to the admonish?
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 1:39 am
by Revamped
Trial competition question:
I've gotten an array of opinions from professors regarding how fast I should go to the judge during cross examination of a weaselly witness who won't answer simple yes/no Qs.
Competition judged by attorneys.
Re: Cross-X: How quickly do you go to the admonish?
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 1:46 am
by Revamped
I think I might be in the wrong forum section by mistake. Can a mod move me? I'd appreciate it.
Re: Cross-X: How quickly do you go to the admonish?
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 3:17 pm
by Mount Elbrus
I never did a mock competition, but I have done a number of trials, both bench and with panels. What are you trying to get out of this witness? You can go on the offensive pretty early on and typically control a witness. What I will typically do if someone answers in the way you are describing is follow up with "That's a yes, then" or "That's a no, then" You should be leading the hell out of witnesses on cross exam and they should only be giving yes/no answers.
Don't rely on the judge to do your job. Unless the witness is flat out refusing to answer the question, you should be able to control him/her.