Cross Examination
The witness is now your to abuse. In cross examination you are permitted to ask leading questions and treat the witness as a hostile witness. However it is expected that you be polite not use derogatory statements. You may think that the officer is an idiot, you may even know it, but you can't say it. You can make him look like an incompetent idiot.
Objections: Remember the word OVERRULED means the Judge does not buy the objection and continue as if no objection was ever made. the objections stated here are the type you may hear. I have obviously not included all possible objections.
If the trial is with prosecutor:
- Leading question, or he is leading the witness: "Your honor, this is cross examination and leading questions are specifically allowed under State and Federal rules."
- Asked and Answered: This means you have asked the question one to many times. You can ask the same question again if you rephrase it.
If the Trial is without a prosecutor: If the Judge makes any objection of any kind: "Your Honor I object to you acting as prosecutor. The people chose to to proceed without the benefit of a prosecutor and as such have chosen to enter waive their right to enter objections. If it was their desire to enter objections they should have employed a prosecutor."
GUIDELINES FOR ASKING QUESTIONS
- Ask a short questions designed to get a short answer
- Indicate the object of your questions
- Don't telegraph your argument
- Don't ask questions they won't answer properly. "So, we win, right?"
- Make questions seem important, even if it is just an attempt to clarify.
- Politeness is a must - emphasize the difference if they are rude. Approach things from a non-obvious direction. Then trap them.
- Mark your flow/notes as to what you want to question them about.
- Avoid open ended Qs unless you are sure they are clueless.
- Face the judge/audience, not your opponent.
