Testifying Tips
One of the most terrifying experiences on this planet is getting deposed or appearing as a witness in a hearing or trial.
Well, fear no more. We’re here to help.
Let’s say you’re on the witness stand in an important case. You’re sworn in and then the opposing attorney asks you the following question . . .
Where were you the day after the day before yesterday when you willfully and wantonly with malice aforethought subjected the plaintiff to misconduct of a nature so egregious and appalling that I cannot in good conscience describe it here except to say that you must be a wicked, evil and truly despicable person and therefore I assume that you hereby admit that you did everything the plaintiff alleges and perhaps even more and if you do not so admit may I remind you that you are under oath and accordingly refer you back to your earlier statements that you made in a secret tape-recorded conversation with the plaintiff and ask were you lying then or are you lying now or, in the alternative, do you wish to withdraw your case entirely and pay all my attorneys’ fees right now by cash, check or money order or all of the above?
What do you do?
Don’t worry. All you have to do is remember our patented sure-fire TOP TEN TESTIFYING TIPS and even the trickiest lawyer won’t be able to trip you up.
Here they are:
- Be honest.
- Listen to all questions carefully.
- Ask if you don’t understand any part of a question.
- Pause before answering to allow your attorney to object.
- Keep answers as brief as possible.
- Don’t volunteer extra information.
- Watch out for tricky questions.
- Don’t guess or speculate.
- “Yes,” “no” and “I don’t recall” are perfectly acceptable answers.
- Ask for a break if you need one.
If you forget everything else, please please please remember Rule #1.
