How to Survive Cross-Examination: Cross-examination Tips for Witnesses

Discover key strategies to navigate cross-examination confidently with our expert guide. Whether you're a first-time witness or seeking to refine your courtroom skills, this video is your go-to resource. We cover everything from understanding legal jargon to handling tricky questions smoothly. Boost your credibility and stay composed under pressure with these professional insights. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share if you find these tips helpful! #CrossExamination #WitnessTips #CourtroomConfidence #trialadvocacy #mocktrial #lawyerlife

DISCLAIMER:
This video is for educational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Please consult with an attorney directly regarding your specific legal situation.

Survive Cross-Examination: Cross-examination Tips for Witnesses the 21 Rules

00:00 Intro Cross-exam tips for witnesses
00:15 Attorney Michael Waddington biography
00:36 The 21 Rules for Surviving Cross-Examination
01:13 Preparing for cross-examination
01:35 Cross-exam Rule 1: Listen to the question don’t interrupt
02:20 Cross-exam Rule 2: Identify the fact(s) in the question
03:25 Cross-exam Rule 3: Pause and think before answering
04:24 Cross-exam Rule 4: Only answer the question being asked
05:29 Cross-exam Rule 5: Tell the truth
06:02 Cross-exam Rule 6: If possible, respond “yes” or “no”
06:40 Cross-exam Rule 7: Give the most direct answer possible
07:23 Cross-exam Rule 8: If you don’t know, say, “I don’t know”
07:48 Cross-exam Rule 9: Lose the bad attitude
08:48 Cross-exam Rule 10: Don’t speculate
09:19 Cross-exam Rule 11: Don’t try to explain - Explain on redirect
10:20 Cross-exam Rule 12: Answer the question - Stop talking
11:01 Cross-exam Rule 13: If you do not understand the question, don't answer
12:15 Cross-exam Rule 14: Don’t volunteer information
13:10 Cross-exam Rule 15: Don’t vouch for your own credibility
14:05 Cross-exam Rule 16: Don’t try to be funny, sarcastic, or witty
14:23 Cross-exam Rule 17: Don’t quibble
14:43 Cross-exam Rule 18: Don’t stare at the jury, the judge, or your lawyer
15:47 Cross-exam Rule 19: Be polite
16:04 Cross-exam Rule 20: Don’t argue with the lawyers or the judge
16:35 Cross-exam Rule 21: Dress appropriately for a courtroom
17:52 Cross-examination tips - How to be a good witness in court
18:04 Handling cross-examination - Courtroom tips for witnesses

Cross-examination tips
How to be a good witness in court
Handling cross-examination
Courtroom tips for witnesses
Legal tips for witnesses

Michael and Alexandra are criminal defense lawyers and best-selling authors who defend cases in Florida State Court, Federal Court, and military courts worldwide. We defend serious criminal cases, including sex crimes, false accusations, computer crimes, military sexual assault, and white-collar crimes.

González & Waddington, LLC
1792 Bell Tower Ln #218
Weston, FL 33326
1-800-921-8607
954-284-1507

[Peter-hzvs]

Summary of the video:
1. Answer the fact.
2. Say don’t remember, don’t know, and don’t understand when it is.
3. When they set you up, just answer the fact and STOP TALKING. Your lawyer will take care of it.

Only rule, talk minimally and STOP

[almaur]

I am not in deep trouble and I am not suing anybody. I am watching this for fun. "Don't volunteer information" "Stop talking" Answer yes or no or say I don't know. Be truthful. Be polite, get rid of bad attitude. Don't battle with judge and lawyers. Dress appropriately. Use common sense....

[agoyommusellam]

Thank you ver much Mr. Waddington for this valuable information on a very important pleading stage. I am a lawyer myself and do appreciate the piece of information highly.

[agoyommusellam]

Moreover the way you present it is supper professional. So thank you a lot

[coraperez]

Excellent video, after going though this process I can highly recommend to follow his advise

[FreedomPalestineEndZioNazism]

Thanks bro. Got a felony charge here in UKKK 🇬🇧 for bothering to care about my kids, and you gave salient advice 🙂

[Bjbj]

This is how I know some things are just meant to be, I was just listening to depositions because sometimes they’re funny. I have some pretty darn good awards from the army Bron stars purple heart CIB, EIB, a couple of different kind of wings. I also happen to have every form of non-judicial punishment short of a court Marshall. My time in the military was fraught with excitement and punishment. Thank you for helping me relive some of the more tedious memories. Great advice guys.

[maloofent]

Should a plaintiff expect to be put on the stand when going against a car ins company?Thank you so much for this very insightful video!

[GlockAK]

I’m the petitioner in a family court matter. I’m sure the other side will do and say anything to trash me.

[NDAsDontCoverIllegalActs]

These are valuable valid tips and definitely make sense within a courtroom context, thank you.

My question is, _and this might seem bizarre but, _ what if you aren't specifically told you're in court, what you're in court for - haven't received/been served documents describing the case(s) - and either don't have a lawyer/your lawyer hasn't identified themselves to you?

For example, rather than a court, you're speaking with a shift leader or a manager at a business, neither have identified themselves as judge nor jury and the debate and questions don't relate to what's being adjudicated "in court"?

One would assume that if one is in court it would and should be obvious. For example there would be a stand, a judge in judge clothing, seating benches (indoors), microphones, a stenographer, the address is a courthouse, the courthouse usually has metal detectors and several officers, rather than it being a private business, etc. Minus these indicators, why would any reasonable, rational, sane individual think they were in court? Even when done virtually, the plaintiff and defendant both know they're attending court, rather than a random mundane phone or video call regarding a comparatively lesser issue. They know their lawyer, judge and opposition's first and last names, they're printed on documents available to them there's no secrecy nor room for misinterpretation.

And if anyone is holding court outside the accepted courtroom and courthouse milieus without expressly stating what the case regards, how could it possibly considered legal?

Isn't that grounds for a mistrial? Isn't it a miscarriage of justice? Iirc improper service alone is grounds for a dismissal.

[joannethilwind]

You are appreciated I am in serious trouble for transferring money 4 years ago from my then boyfriend account to another person account which I believed to be for bikes for my children at the time and then other transactions for what I believe to be for things bought for the house the police arrested me last year and interviewed me I gave a statement of what I could remember then last week I was charged for handing stolen goods apparently they burgled someone stealing antique clocks which I knew nothing about it’s very scary as like you said I’ve never done anything wrong in my life well they won’t care about that so need to know how to present myself correctly Thank you so much I am Grateful 🙏 ❤

[lenyfreeman]

Stop Talking Stop Talking Stop Talking Stop Talking Stop Talking Stop Talking Stop Talking Stop Talking Stop Talking ....You just can't say that enough.

[quacksmuch]

Ask me, 'Are you wearing a shirt?" I would want to answer, "How can you tell?" Or, "What tipped you off?" (In court, just answer "yes" or "no.")

[TheInvoice]

My $2 hearing aids will be a great prop