2 - Cross Examination Skills Basic Building Blocks Mock Trial Flight School

In this episode of Mock Trial Flight School, Brian Bellamy discusses the fundamental building blocks for cross-examination of witnesses in a trial or mock trial setting.

The discussion covers three critical aspects of a competent witness cross: organization, persuasion, and style.

1. How to organize the cross-examination persuasively and logically


arrange around the big points supporting the case theory

gain admissions of key facts

avoid repeating direct examination



2. How to make the cross-examination more persuasive


limit to points that support your case theory and theme

limit to questions you know the answer to and avoid fishing

plan fishing questions carefully so that jury will not notice

use leading questions only

don't ask for opinions or conclusions

ask for one fact at a time

avoid trivial matters

use simple language

ask short questions

build in bits

torture key points

use headlines

be brief and concise



3. How to have an exciting and dynamic style


as an attorney on the cross, you are the STAR - don't give the witness center stage

maintain eye contact with the decision-maker(s)

use a dynamic voice and tone appropriate for the facts

use beneficial gestures

avoid reading questions, work from an outline - or, preferably, prepare so well that you don't use any notes - especially in a mock trial

don't be cross (i.e., mean), remember honey attracts more bees.



Published by Brian Bellamy

https://clarkandbellamy.com/

https://tcchs.org/

https://www.best-speech-topics.com/


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