How to Persuasively Present Written Transcripts
Have you ever had to present a deposition or interview transcript to the jury? How did you do it? Earlier this week I was asked to help a friend present the transcript of an interview in a murder case he was prosecuting.  There were just a few problems with presenting the interview to the jury: The interview was conducted in Spanish, not English, so he couldn’t play the original audio recording. Not everything in the interview was relevant to the case, so the jury would only be allowed to hear certain...
Read MoreDealing with difficult deponents
So you think you’ve dealt with difficult witnesses? Ha! Not compared to this lawyer. Check out these video clips from a deposition of Larry Flynt. Before you watch these clips, ask yourself how you would respond to the following situations: The lawyer asks the witness if he “swears to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” The witness says, “No.” The lawyer asks the witness, “What is your full name?” Rather than giving his real name, the...
Read MoreDo you sound like a lawyer?
Attention trial lawyers and law students… Have you ever caught yourself sounding like a lawyer? Not too long ago, I attended the deposition of a security guard from a major retailer. Like most depositions, it began when the court reporter swore in the witness. Next, she asked everyone in the room to state their names for the record. The other attorney introduced himself and stated who he represented. Next, I introduced myself and said who I represented. Lastly, the witness told us his name, spelled it, and...
Read MoreResources for Trial Lawyers
