Objections
This objection is used when a witness repeats something someone else said to prove it's true.
What is hearsay?
An expert witness is allowed to give opinions in court because they have specialized knowledge beyond that of an average person.
What is expert testimony?
On cross, the attorney asks: "Why would you lied about something like this?"
Why is this a mistake?
What is "it is not strategic to ask open-ended questions on cross. (ask leading)
Who were all the witnesses on the defense?
How many mock trial officer positions are there?
What is four mock trial positions?
This objection is used when the question has nothing to do with the case.
What is relevance?
A statement made during a stressful or shocking event may be allowed in court even if it is hearsay, because it was made under immediate emotional pressure.
What is excited utterance?
On a direct or cross, why is it bad for the witness to say "I heard that..." or "Someone told me..."?
What is it introduces hearsay and secondhand information is not reliable? It can be objected and stricken from the record.
What was Jo Walker's job?
What is a certified public accountant?
What instrument does Tran play?
What is the violin?
“After you saw the defendant leave the building, you immediately called 911, correct?”
The witness simply answers “yes.”
This question suggests specific facts and pushes the witness toward a particular answer rather than letting them tell the story in their own words. (direct)
What is leading?
After an exhibit is admitted into evidence, the attorney may now do this with it during questioning.
What is publishing the exhibit to the jury?
An attorney questions your witness on their cross that hurts your case. What is the best immediate move?
What is redirect examination?
Who was the lead detective on the case?
What is Detective Dee Branch?
What is the name of the band that Emerson is in?
What is Eggs and Cheese?
A witness is asked why the defendant entered the building. The witness responds:
“I think he went in because he was trying to steal something or hurt someone.”
However, the witness never actually saw what happened inside and has no direct knowledge of the defendant’s intentions—only assumptions.
What is speculation?
During trial, an attorney tries to introduce evidence that the defendant cheated on a test last year to suggest they are a dishonest person and therefore likely committed the current crime.
This type of evidence is generally not allowed because it attempts to show action in conformity with a person’s character.
On a direct, a witness keeps answering with only "yes" or "no" instead of explaining what happened. Why is this bad for your witness?
What is it prevents the witness from telling a full story and weakens the impact of their testimony?
What did the pieces of bacon in one of the exhibits spell out?
What is killer?
What is Drake's favorite boba place?
What is Cuckoo's Cafe?
An attorney asks a witness about what they saw at the scene. The witness begins describing details about a conversation that happened across the street between two other people.
The attorney has not established where the witness was standing, whether they could hear clearly, or how they would have been able to perceive that conversation from that distance.
What is lack of foundation?
An attorney introduces evidence that wastes time and adds nothing new because the same point has already been clearly established multiple times.
What is cumulative evidence?
On a cross, a witness tries to explain their answers instead of sticking to short responses. Why is this bad for the attorney?
What is it allows the witness to regain control and weakens the attorney's strategy?
How many exhibits were in the case?
What is 14 exhibits?
What is Javion's favorite style of art?
What is mixed media?