Precision Impeachment in Cross-Examination: Tailoring Impeachment Strategies for Every Witness

Why Attend?

• Review the essential elements of impeachment
• Understand the critical distinction between refreshing recollection and impeachment

The art of impeachment stands as a pivotal skill that can direct the tide of your case because impeachment leads to powerful cross-examination of adverse witnesses. This course will equip you to identify and present impeachment evidence for a diverse array of witnesses, with insights on the challenges and hazards of examining expert witnesses. You will learn how to identify inconsistencies in testimony, and how not to ask the “one question too many” while respecting the boundaries of impeachment set in the Rules of Evidence. 

From how to use prior inconsistent statements, to undermining expert opinions without directly confronting an expert’s domain knowledge, you will come away ready to face adverse witnesses with confidence and skill. 

Topics covered include:

• Three essential elements to get impeachment right every time
• Impeachment by prior writings, prior convictions, and prior inconsistent statements
• What does it mean to commit a witness to in-court testimony, and why is it essential?
• Why it is important to credit an out-of-court statement or other impeachment material before confronting a witness with it
• How to impeach when the impeachment evidence is the absence of a record

COVID-19 POLICY FOR LIVE-ON-SITE ATTENDANCE

By attending a live-on-site Virginia CLE^® seminar, you acknowledge the health risks associated with COVID-19 and that you MUST follow all Virginia CLE^® COVID-19 policies. You may NOT attend a live-on-site program if you have tested positive for COVID-19, if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or if you are under any self-quarantine orders per CDC guidelines.

Registration Deadlines:

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation/transfer requests will be honored until 5:00 p.m. the day preceding the seminar. You will, however, be charged $40 if you cancel or transfer your registration to a different seminar after the link to the materials has been e-mailed by Virginia CLE^®.

Full refunds or transfers are available up to two days after a webcast in the unlikely event that you experience technical difficulties.

Dietary Restrictions: If you have dietary restrictions and are attending the seminar in person, please email deanna.mcglothlin@vacle.org.

Inclement Weather Policy and Updates.

MCLE Credit Caveat: The MCLE Board measures credits by the time you spend in attendance. If you enter a seminar late or leave it early, or both, you must reflect those adjustments accurately in the credits you report on your credit reporting form. A code will be given at the end of the seminar, which must be written on your MCLE form.

Can’t Attend?

E-mail distance_ed@vacle.org to be notified when/if this program is made available as an online or USB seminar.
E-mail publications@vacle.org to be notified when/if this program’s seminar materials are made available for sale.