Your Job as a Witness

As a witness, you are the most crucial part of a mock trial. A good witness can completely set up a case of success, while an unprepared one can destroy a case. Luckily, being a witness is a lot of fun and there are plenty of ways to prepare.

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Your job is to:

1. Know your witness statement.

2. Answer only the question that was asked.

3. Stay in character.

4. Give truthful answers based on your witness's knowledge.

5. Help your attorney tell the story through your testimony.

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Try to act natural, not memorized. Present you as a real person and adapt to the witness's character.

Remember to never guess! Only testify to facts that you are sure of

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Know:

• Your background

• Your relationships with other witnesses

• Where you were at important times

• What you personally saw, heard, or experienced

• Your motivations and biases

• Important dates and events

• Your affidavit/witness statement

• Any exhibits that relate to your testimony

 

Examinations

On direct, your attorney is helping you tell your story. Make sure to practice a ton ahead of time and act natural, even if you are repeating a memorized script. Make sure to tick to the question the attorney asked you so you don’y naarrarateOn Cross-Examination

 

On cross Examination the opposing attorney is usually trying to control the testimony and expose weaknesses in your story. Make sure to give short answers, and it's ok to argue a little bit with the attorney. Never agree to something that is not in your affidavit, and be calm! Crosses are timed, to try to waste the limited time the attorney has.