Law Practice,
Civil Litigation
May 4, 2011
Professional Tools for Litigators: Direct and Cross-Examination
When it comes to direct and cross-examination, the better you prepare, the luckier you usually are. By James P. Gray, a retired judge of Orange County Superior Court
James P. Gray
ADR Services Inc.Business and commercial contracts, real estate, construction, employment, PAGA, probate, legal malpractice
19000 MacArthur Blvd #550
Irvine , CA 92612
Phone: (949) 863-9800
Fax: (949) 863-9888
Email: jimpgray@sbcglobal.net
USC Law School
James is a retired judge of the Orange County Superior Court, a private mediator and arbitrator with ADR Services Inc., the author of "Wearing the Robe: the Art and Responsibilities of Judging in Today's Courts" (Square One Press, 2009), and the 2012 Libertarian candidate for vice president, along with Gov. Gary Johnson as the candidate for president.
What is really the difference between direct and cross-examination? Think of a megaphone. Direct examination is represented by the smaller end. You should ask short questions that call for the witness to expound upon and develop the answer, which is represented by the larger end. In direct examination, you are usually vouching for the credibility and knowledge of the witness, so you want the leave as much of the talking as possible to the witness that you called.
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