Course Overview:

Effective courtroom testimony by law enforcement officials is a must in today’s world of case prosecution. Successful prosecution depends in part on a competent and professional presentation to the jury and/or judge by the law enforcement official. Most law enforcement officials receive little, if any, formal training regarding courtroom testimony.

The courtroom is a different world. The nuances of effective testimony can be easily overlooked by the law enforcement official who underestimates their importance. With television shows and the news media greatly shaping the public’s perception of law enforcement, today’s officer on the witness stand faces an uphill battle if he/she is not equipped with tips for testifying.

This course will teach officers the do’s and don’ts of testifying. They will learn the courtroom process and procedures. In addition, they will learn how and why a personal connection must be made with the judge/jury and how to identify and protect their personal credibility.

Expert witness testimony can greatly influence the outcome of a trial. Information will be provided during this course regarding expert witness qualifications as well as limitations. The final block of instruction will teach officers how to identify and counter standard/favorite tactics used by defense attorneys.

Topics Covered: Connecting with the Judge and Jury, Expert Testimony Qualifications, Defense Attorney Traps, Reducing the Anxiety of Testifying, Nonverbal Communications, Articulation of Responses, Limitations of Testifying, Prosecutor Expectations, Courtroom Ethics.