Cross-Examination Edge: A Guide to Effective Questioning

Description
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Author: Peter D. Polchinski
ISBN 10: 1-933264-27-6
ISBN 13: 978-1-933264-27-1
Copyright Date Ed: June 1, 2010
Pages: 80 pages
Binding Information: Hardcover
Size: 6 ✕ 9 Inches (US)

Called "the greatest legal engine ever invented for the discovery of truth," cross-examination is your chance to confront and challenge the other side's testimony. Cross-Examination Edge is a how-to book that will help you improve your cross-examination skills, showing you how to confront the witness in any kind of trial, hearing, or proceeding. You will learn how to gain more leverage and credibility in your cross-examination by utilizing proven techniques with witnesses.

Overcome any natural fear or lack of confidence. This book shows you to take command of a courtroom, to the reveal the truth to everyone present, and often win or secure a favorable resolution for your client. Cross-examination is your unique opportunity to do something important and challenging.

Learn about questioning techniques, impeaching witnesses, confronting and preparing the expert, and tips for trial practice, among others! Also included in this handbook are samples of cross-examinations. These sample questions cover a variety of common courtroom scenarios, and the new lawyer can use them as a starting point for cross preparation. Seasoned advocates should find several helpful hints and tips to add to their repertoire.

This book is also available as an E-book. Click here to purchase and download:

Topics Include:

Preparation for the witness
Questioning techniques
Impeachment with prior inconsistent statements
Cross techniques
Preparation for the expert
Confronting the expert
Tips for trial practice
Answering the judge's questions
Developing a good reputation
Conducting a voir dire
Reviewing the expert's file in court
Using the expert's report
How to phrase questions
Admonishing witnesses
Adding drama to the presentation
Leading and non-leading questions
Tips for trial practice

Introduction
Chapter 1: Preparation for the Witness
Chapter 2: Questioning Techniques
Chapter 3: Impeachment with Prior Inconsistent Statements
Chapter 4: Cross Techniques
Chapter 5: Preparation for the Expert
Chapter 6: Confronting the Expert
Chapter 7: Tips for Trial Practice

Wisconsin Lawyer

The Cross-Examination Edge: A Guide to Effective Questioning, by Peter Polchinski, is a book that should be in every trial lawyers library. It is short and direct and covers basic rules that every trial attorney should follow. There are many good books on effective cross-examination, but many are long and act as reference books that an attorney might only refer to occasionally if he or she anticipates encountering an issue with a particular witness. This book provides a good and effective review of some of the basic principles of cross-examination. Every trial attorney has his or her own style in the courtroom. One thing my first employer told me was that I should be myself and not try to imitate someone elses style. Although there are as many different styles of trying a case as there are lawyers, there are still certain principles of cross-examination that all lawyers should follow. This book does not suggest that one style or another is better but deals with various ways of attacking a witnesss direct testimony.; It is rare that a witnesss testimony is totally destroyed on cross-examination. The main purpose of cross-examination is to weaken the testimony of the witness as much as possible. The author reviews various ways of challenging a witnesss testimony, and he also gives good examples of how this is accomplished. There is probably nothing in the book that any experienced trial attorney does not already know. However, this book is an excellent review. At 70 pages, it is easy to read and should be read before each trial and occasionally just as a refresher, rather than be used as a reference book if you have a particular question about cross-examination.