The “Art” of the Cross-Examination

By: Law is Cool · January 6, 2009 · Filed Under Law Career · 5 Comments 
Peter Small of The Star has a great article today on cross-examinations.  He interviews several lawyers for tips that can be useful for any aspiring litigator.

He also provides these 10 tips by Irving Younger:

10 COMMANDMENTS OF THE CROSS

  1. Be brief.
  2. Use short questions, plain words.
  3. Always ask leading questions.
  4. Don’t ask a question to which you do not know the answer.
  5. Listen to the witness’s answers.
  6. Don’t quarrel with the witness.
  7. Don’t allow the witness to repeat his or her direct testimony.
  8. Don’t permit the witness to explain his or her answers.
  9. Don’t ask the “one question too many.”
  10. Save the ultimate point of your cross for summation.


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