The Fine Line Between Feeding a Client Testimony and Preparing a Client for Testimony
No doubt, there is definitely something to be said for preparing a California crime victim or witness to testify in court. Fortunately, most people are only victimized once by a crime and therefore have little experience when it comes to testifying in court. Lawyers, on the other hand, know exactly the types of questions to ask to ensure that they get the kinds of answers that they want. As a result, a victim or witness who hasn’t been prepared can get easily misled, confused and/or visibly flustered on the witness stand.
This is why it is so helpful for attorneys to help prepare California crime victims and witnesses to testify in court. They not only review the types of questions that they and the other-side’s attorneys will ask, but also help prepare you to answer them in the most convincing and believable manner.
But keep in mind that there is a fine line between preparing a client for testimony and feeding a client testimony. It is unethical for an attorney to tell a victim or witness what to say on the witness stand. The attorney can help the victim/witness present his/her side of the story – the attorney cannot create the story.
