A pre-recorded streaming video replay from the March 2018 webcast, Essentials of Cross-Examination.
Course Benefits
The cross-examination in your next case will improve.
- A plan is necessary—understand what you should be planning for
- Watch ineffective cross-examination, learn from the mistakes, and then watch it done correctly to cement the principles
- Explore effective methods of impeaching the witness
The allure of performing a great cross-examination convinced many of us to become lawyers: latter-day Perry Masons skillfully leading the hostile witness into damaging admissions, if not outright confessions from the witness box. In reality, it rarely works out so well. Too often the cross-examination is perfunctory, without a plan or theory, and if not actually helping the other side, fails to advance the examiner’s case.
Yes, cross-examination is partly art, but there is enough science behind it that anyone can improve by studying the rules. Our expert faculty will lay those rules out clearly during this seminar. After observing demonstrations of both ineffective and effective cross-examinations, you will be able to avoid common pitfalls and follow best practices. A significant time will be spent exploring effective impeachment, a central aspect of many cross-examinations. Applicable to practitioners in civil and criminal trials, these two hours will be sure to enhance your next cross-examination.
Among the topics to be discussed:
- When to forgo cross-examination
- How to develop a theme for your line of questions
- Effective control of the witness
- Techniques for effective impeachment of the witness