Comments for Winning Trial Advocacy Techniques

Comment on Hang ‘em with their own words! by Elliott Wilcox

Elliott Wilcox — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:50:55 +0000

WHOOPS! I screwed up in the original post and inserted the wrong link. The correct website is now there, but here it is again in case you were wondering why you couldn’t find the program: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Sorry!
-Elliott

Comment on What do you think of the new look for Trial Tips Newsletter? by Expert Witness Marketer

Expert Witness Marketer — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:32:40 +0000

Oops - I hit “submit” too soon. Well done - the new look is great! It looks very polished and the links I checked worked. Having just redone my own website, I’ve discovered there are always unexpected glitches .

Comment on What do you think of the new look for Trial Tips Newsletter? by Expert Witness Marketer

Expert Witness Marketer — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:30:40 +0000

Well - the new look is great!

Comment on Hang ‘em with their own words! by Marie

Marie — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:18:06 +0000

I have enjoyed every article you have written, they are so informative, well thought out yet entertaining. Please keep them coming, perhaps you should consider seminars around the country.

Comment on Adding Impact to Opening Statements by Christina

Christina — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:28:47 +0000

Great information, as always. For civilians acting IPP, do you have articles for outlining an opening statement ? (I am a mother of a minor girl who was assaulted by a man and I have pursued a civil case against him, we are awaiting our trial date.)

Comment on What to Do When Your Witness Forgets by Chris

Chris — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:03:37 +0000

Fantastic step-by-step! What’s more, if this situation arises, I imagine I’ll step back and think, oh crap–Animal House–and then it’ll all come to back to me. Keep up the great work! Thanks!

Comment on How to Develop Powerful Case Themes by VALENTINE

VALENTINE — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:39:10 +0000

Dear Elliot

I am a fresher in this field and hence always on the look out for something which may further my profession and develop me. I have downloaded some of your previous articles and writeups. They have been extremely useful. I am lawyer from Gujarat, India. My problem areas are arguments and cross-examination. You may like to send me some tips on these topics.

Thanks
Valentine

Comment on What to Do When Your Witness Forgets by Bob

Bob — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:52:16 +0000

This is the kind of article, which, as part of a system, will marginally improve the quality of my work. Thanks.

Comment on Framing Your Story for Maximum Impact by Ted King

Ted King — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:16:35 +0000

Excellent point… very helpful.

Comment on Video: Maximizing Inconsistent Statements in Cross-Examination by Ted King

Ted King — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:07:06 +0000

Re: inconsistent statements. The lock down was well put and well received. It is a point often overlooked. Thank you. Ted

Comment on What to Do When Your Witness Forgets by Marissa

Marissa — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:46:00 +0000

One tactic I use to prepare for this situation is that I tell my witness that if they give me the wrong answer, I will ask them “ARE YOU SURE THAT [PIKE IS THE WORST FRATERNITY ON CAMPUS]”. They know to say “NO” to that question, which sets up the refreshment. It has worked every time.

Comment on What to Do When Your Witness Forgets by Michael

Michael — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 05:51:44 +0000

Elliott, you’re a jerk! Why didn’t you publish this article three weeks ago, when it would have saved the day for me?

One of the most helpful tips in the article was the part where you mentioned we should take responsibility for asking bad questions and then re-ask the question with some limiting parameters to make it easier for the witness to respond. Looking back on my direct examination, I know that idea would have made it easier for me to help my witness find his answer.

Please keep up the great tips. I print out every one and keep them in a 3-ring binder that I review before trials. (Also, congratulations on getting your article published in the July issue of Trial magazine. That’s awesome!)

Comment on Adding Impact to Opening Statements by Joe Dane

Joe Dane — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:23:27 +0000

As a prosecutor in a murder case, I took silence as far as I could. The defendant was accused of strangling the victim to death with an electrical cord. The medical examiner opined that it would have taken at least 4 - 5 minutes of strangulation to cause death. In my closing argument, I had a life-sized dummy seated before the jury. As I argued to the jury, I stood behind the dummy and pantomimed the strangulation. I stood silent for 4 minutes. Guilty. The jurors remembered and remarked on it to me after.

Comment on Framing Your Story for Maximum Impact by Byron Kennedy

Byron Kennedy — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:20:37 +0000

Great tip (as usual). I am amazed that each week you have the time to put these together.

Comment on VIDEO: The Secret to Successful Cross-Examination by Ted King

Ted King — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:33:38 +0000

This short video is worth a billion dollars! $$$$$$

Comment on Framing Your Story for Maximum Impact by Roy Black

Roy Black — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:41:29 +0000

Elliot: Wonderful examples which I fully intend to steal so as the price I will give you one in return. Remember the movie American Beauty? A man lusts after the underage girlfriend of his daughter and the film even opens with him masturbating in the shower. Usually child molestors and perverts are treated harshly by the public but by the end of the movie we are rooting for him to suceed with the girl (of course she is pretty hot so that helps). Why is the question I wanted to discover. I think it is because we follow him through the movie by hearing his inner dialogue. Thus we get to know him and emphasize with his miserable life. This gives us an insight to how jurors might see our client if we could just expose him or her in a similiar way. Probably a difficult thing to do, just like the wicked witch of the west, but worth pondering. Thanks again for another thought provoking essay.

Comment on How to Develop Powerful Case Themes by priyantha gamage

priyantha gamage — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:00:09 +0000

My dear Mr.Elliot,
Congratulations, on a great series of articles!
I am a lawyer from sri lanka.Your articles are such gems that i read them as soon as I receive them, make notes and save them for future reference.So good luck and God bless you.
Regards,
Priyantha

Comment on Framing Your Story for Maximum Impact by Edward Hanson

Edward Hanson — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:31:34 +0000

I enjoy your website as well as your insight. I took your advice and attended the last showing of Jesus Christ Superstar in Tampa last week. Wow. The production was great and Ted Neeley fabulous. We would not have gone if it had not been at your instigation. When I was a young pilot in the Air Force in 1972 my wife and I used to play the cast record of the musical so often we wore the thing out. And there we were, 36 years later, basking in the warmth of that same music. Thanks BTW: I get your newsletter because I am a student at Barry College of Law in Orlando. I believe that it is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks.

Comment on Framing Your Story for Maximum Impact by Dan

Dan — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:31:02 +0000

Elliott, as with your other trial tips, this is one of those little gems of trial practice. Keep’em coming. Thanks

Comment on Framing Your Story for Maximum Impact by Brijesh

Brijesh — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:08:05 +0000

It’s a very comprehensive,Interesting, Knowledgeble,
Thanks