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Direct & Cross Examination in Criminal Cases Presented by Joseph Passanise Solo and Small Firm...
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Transcript of Direct & Cross Examination in Criminal Cases Presented by Joseph Passanise Solo and Small Firm...
Direct & Cross Examination
in Criminal Cases
Presented by Joseph Passanise
Solo and Small Firm ConferenceJune 11, 2010
OVERVIEW
1) Vision
2) Direct in Criminal
3) Focus on Cross in Criminal
4) Practical Tips
OPTIONS FOR JURY
1) Guilty
2) Not Guilty
3) Not Sure
VISION
Theory of Reasonable Doubt
Direct and Cross Examination to Support
Theory of Innocence
VISION
1) Will the Jury Sympathize with Witness? (Gov/Yours)
2) Does the Witness Help/Hurt?
3) List of the Evidence & Facts to Support Theory (Exhibits)
4) Include the Source for the Fact
SUPPORTING YOUR THEORY OF INNOCENCE
Prove Facts Supporting Theory
Impeach Prosecution Case
BUILD CREDIBILITY
DIRECT EXAMINATION
1) State Name / Occupation
2) Build Rapour
3) Direct your Attention to Date, Time, Place – Were you there?
4) What did you See?
5) What did you Hear?
DIRECT EXAMINATION
6) How Close?
7) Under Influence of Alcohol/Drugs?
8) How Long Did you See/Hear?
9) What did you Do?
10) Then, what did you do?
11) How did that make you feel?
CROSS EXAMINATION IS A SKILL & ART
Build Credibility
VIDEO
CROSS EXAMINATION
Bias is Never Collateral!1)Davis v AK, 415 US 308 (1974)
2) State v Hedrick, 797 S.W. 2d 823
(MO App. 1990)
CROSS EXAMINATION
1) Right to Present a Defense
2) Right of Confrontation
Character Assassin!
THEMES FOR THEORY OF INNOCENCE
1) Lack of Curiosity to Investigate
2) No Corroborating Evidence
3) Incomplete Evidence
4) Confusing Evidence
5) Contradictory Evidence
6) Investigation Compromised
7) Bias in Witnesses
8) Inconsistent Statements
CROSS EXAMINATION
1) One Fact
2) Evidence From Witness
3) Build Towards Theory
4) Listen to the Answer / Use
CROSS EXAMINATION
1) Law Enforcement
2) Lay Witness
A.K.A “Little Helpers”
3) Expert Witness
4) Child Witness
POLICE OFFICERS CAN HELP
1) Not limited to Just the Case –(Lead Investigators – Protocol)
2) They are Quasi-Experts
• Specialized training
• Continuing Education
• Investigative Subpoenas
• Search Warrants
• Statements / Miranda
• Search Incident to Arrest
LAY WITNESS
1) Bias
2) Inconsistent Statement
(Chronology)
3) Don’t Argue
4) Control the Flow
EXPERT WITNESS
1) Pick a Point or Two and Hit Hard
2) They Will Always Want to Explain
3) Get them Off Stand
CHILD WITNESS
Please don’t make me cry!
Siblings
Friends
Grand-Parents
Juvenile Officer
PoliceOfficers
SundaySchool Teacher
MinisterTeacher
SchoolNurse
Nurse
Doctor
Counselor(Psychologist)
ChildAdvocacy
Center
DFS
StepParents
Parents
The Iron Curtain
BENEFITS OF PREPARED CROSS
Benefit of Doubt from Court
Builds Credibility
Jury Pays Attention to you!
Limits area of Re-direct?
SOME RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
A. Know Your Case Better Than Government
1) Be prepared to cross with no notes – It is intimidating !
B. Be Discerning
1) Look at witness/keep eye contact
2) Watch Non-Verbal Clues
C. Control the Flow
1) Cover Topics Out of Order
2) Open Questions in Deposition
SOME RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
D. Use Exhibits - Crucial
E. Testify For the Witness
1) Is that right – Yes/No
F. Bring out the Biasness
G. Know Your Style
H. Listen to Testimony and Use it!
WHY DON’T WE USE OPEN-ENDED
QUESTIONS IN TIME
Because…
1) Lose control over witness
2) Don’t always know answer
3) You will get
CONVICTION ASSURING ANSWERS!
PRACTICAL TIPS
1) Practice in Depositions
2) Style and Tone
3) Take a Non-Verbal Class
4) Read Posner / Dodd Book
5)Have Curiosity
5) Eye Contact
6) Pauses
PRACTICAL TIPS
7) Use Subpoenas
8) Inconsistent Statements
Destroy Witness Credibility
www. Entrapped.Com
Thank You2974 E. Battlefield Springfield, MO 65804
Phone: (417) 882-9300 Fax: (417) 882- 9310