A Law Enforcement Officer's Guide to Testifying in Court

Book excerpt: A Law Enforcement Officer's Guide to Testifying in Court takes the fear and mystery out of courtroom proceedings as Vukelic offers practical advice on testifying in court. Officers are shown how to become excellent witnesses by knowing what to anticipate during cross-examination, the tricks used by lawyers at trial, and much more. This book offers information gained from discussions with thousands of jurors and scores of attorneys, observations from the bench, and other research. It is peppered with examples, many of them excerpted from actual trials. Vukelic shows officers how to shine on cross-examination, use courtroom rules to their advantage, improve their communication skills, and handle depositions. He also describes trial procedures from an insider's viewpoint as he takes readers through every step of the judicial process--from writing an arrest report through trial. Whether an officer has never been to court or has testified dozens of times, A Law Enforcement Officer's Guide to Testifying in Court will improve his or her ability to communicate with, and persuade, a judge and jury. "Being a witness is never easy. Being a witness for the first time is painful... A Law Enforcement Officer's Guide to Testifying in Court provides substantial guidance to those who are unfamiliar with testifying... Although the outcome of my first trial was positive, I am certain that I would have been a more comfortable and more effective witness had I read this book prior to appearing in court." -- Tom "Tad" Hughes, University of Louisville, Criminal Justice Review, Spring 2004