Courtroom Testimony
Course Description:
This course is designed to improve your skills in testimony, increase your awareness of the
court system processes, and help you understand your role in describing the elements of the
crime to a judge and jury, in a reasonable manner. The initial investigation, arrest, or traffic
citation is only the beginning stage of a long legal process. The instructors in this class will
discuss the details involved in the phases of courtroom testimony such as pre-trial exams, civil
lawsuit depositions, suppression hearings, expert testimony, and trial court testimony. One of
the most important tools often overlooked during the training cycle of law enforcement officers
and investigators, is how to win in court when the defense attorney attempts to distract the
jury with claims of insufficient evidence, lazy police procedure, or inconsistent witness
testimony. The instructors in this course will provide you with the foresight, knowledge, and
information recall techniques to improve your next courtroom testimony presentation to win
over the judge and/or jury. This course is intended for both patrol level and investigator level
personnel.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will have gained knowledge in:
- Mistakes made before entering the courtroom to testify
- Report Writing Challenges that affect your testimony
- Search and Seizure Testimony
- Use of Force Testimony
- Crime Scene Detail Testimony
- Civil Lawsuit Depositions & Suppression Hearings
- What the lead investigator needs to know before they testify
- Your relationship with the Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, Judge, and the Jury
- Stages of Witness Testimony – Patrol, Lead Investigator, & Expert Witnesses
- Expert Testimony case examples
- Controlling your emotions during testimony
- Defense Attorney Tactics
Prerequisites: None
Course Length: 2 days / 16 hours
Who May Attend: Law Enforcement