If you enter cross-examination without these rules.
You are not a lawyer. You are a volunteer!
Let’s go-10 commandments in 60 seconds!
1️. Thou shalt control the witness.
Question: “You were not present at the scene, were you?”
2️. Thou shalt ask leading questions only.
Question: “You signed this document, correct?”
3️. Thou shalt never ask open-ended questions.
Not: “What happened?” Instead, say: “You left the house at 3pm, didn’t you?”
4️. Thou shalt use one fact per question.
Question: “You were at the office at 10am, correct?”
5️. Thou shalt never ask what you don’t know the answer to.
Question: “You never informed the police, did you?”
6️. Thou shalt impeach with prior inconsistencies.
Question: “In your statement, you said 2 pm. Today you say 4 pm, why?”
7️. Thou shalt be short and sharp.
Question: “Yes or no, you saw nothing, correct?”
8️. Thou shalt not argue with the witness.
Question: “I put it to you that your story is false, correct?”
9️. Thou shalt build your theory step by step.
Question: “So you were not there. And you didn’t see anything. Correct?”
10. Thou shalt stop when you’ve won.
Question: “So your entire evidence is based on hearsay, correct?”
Cross-examination is not drama-it’s discipline. One wrong question can destroy your entire case.
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