Litigation
Jul. 29, 2016
Once a witness is on the stand, things can only go wrong
The first, last and most important rule of direct examination (other than telling the truth) is this: prepare, prepare, prepare. By Brendan P. Glackin
Brendan P. Glackin
Office of the Utah Attorney GeneralPhone: (801) 366-0260
Email: bglackin@agutah.gov
Harvard Univ Law School; Cambridge MA
I can't ever plan a direct examination without thinking of some words of wisdom from a former mentor of mine who once said, roughly, "once you put a witness on the stand, things can only go wrong." Of course, this was in the public defender's office where "witness" usually meant "client" and "client" usually meant someone with, shall we say, substantial impeachment material. But impeachment can sometimes be the least of it. I...
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