Difference between revisions of "Cross-Examination"
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Do not repeat good questions that receive good answers. Defense attorneys will often want to do this to emphasize a surprising answer that is beneficial to their case. However, repeating the question only gives the witness an opportunity to change or explain their answer. | Do not repeat good questions that receive good answers. Defense attorneys will often want to do this to emphasize a surprising answer that is beneficial to their case. However, repeating the question only gives the witness an opportunity to change or explain their answer. | ||
| − | As a general rule, a defense attorney should never ask a question when he or she doesn't already know the answer. However, under certain circumstances, a defense attorney may ask a closed-ended question that the attorney does not know the answer to. Such questions are sometimes called "No Lose Questions" because it doesn't matter what the answer is. For example, when cross-examining a police officer about the report he made at the scene, you might ask "You wanted to get the most accurate information you could?" | + | As a general rule, a defense attorney should never ask a question when he or she doesn't already know the answer. However, under certain circumstances, a defense attorney may ask a closed-ended question that the attorney does not know the answer to. Such questions are sometimes called "No Lose Questions" because it doesn't matter what the answer is. For example, when cross-examining a police officer about the report he made at the scene, you might ask, "You wanted to get the most accurate information you could?" |
== Transitions, Headline Questions and Looping Techniques == | == Transitions, Headline Questions and Looping Techniques == | ||
