Your Witness: Lessons On Cross-Examination and Life From Great Chicago Trial Lawyers includes a chapter by Cook County criminal lawyer Sam Adam entitled Eight Lessons From a Lifetime at 26th Street. Lesson #1:
Look at the trial itself as an entity rather than as a collection of witnesses. Remember that the ultimate purpose of cross-examination is to get those gold nuggets for closing argument. Know every fact about the case – and perhaps especially your opponent’s case – before you plan your cross-examination. This should usually include viewing the scene. A well-prepared lawyer who has a superior knowledge of the facts has an enormous advantage going in.
More to come from Your Witness: Lessons On Cross-Examination and Life From Great Chicago Trial Lawyers