Moch trial direct examination questions for expert witnesses!?!?
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Question by MR. STEVE: Moch trial direct examination questions for expert witnesses!?!?
I am trying out to be a lawyer in a moch trial group in my school. i must write 5 direct examination questions for an expert witness. I would be on the defense if i make it, and the witness is also on the defense. How should i go about witting the questions. The case is about arson, and that is all i am at title to say…
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Best answer:
Answer by cyanne2ak
It is a good idea to get the individual’s qualifications as an expert out of the way FIRST. Ask them where they were educated, what their profession is, how long they’ve been doing it, etc. I suggest you read Daubert v. Merrill Dow, which sets forth the primary test for who can testify as an expert witness and what must be shown to the court for such a person to testify. You can probably google this and find it easily. I do think, however, that you need to read it yourself rather than me just telling you.
Give your answer to this question below!
June 27th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Establish your witnesses credibility with fact and straight to the point questions.
Example:
Please introduce yourself to the jury and what you do.
What does (official title of an Arson investigator, I would guess?) do?
Tell the Jury about your educational background.
Tell the jury about your professional background.
And since we don’t know the details of this “case”, have them explain what exactly they’d do to investigate in general.
Then ask about findings.
You are at liberty to tell more on the case, as it is a mock trial, it is not real, or is loosely based on a real trial that has clearly already been resolved.
June 27th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
As you defense attorney, representing someone that allegedly started a fire, you must get your expert witness to express how fires can start w/o human effort. Find stats on fires and how most of them are started. The majority of fires, I’d assume, are because of accidents or wire problems. Place your questions in that direction.
June 27th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Open ended questions for direct.
Such as,
“How did you hear about today’s case?”
“What did you do to investigate the fire?”
“What did you do next?”
Do not asked close-ended questions.
Close-ended questions are those that would be answered with a “yes” or a “no” rather than calling for a story/narrative answer.
Also, it is “mock trial.”
And for what it is worth, your presence in the room will do more to determine whether or not you make th team. Is this for a high school team?
June 27th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
first, learn how to spell “mock” and “writing” and be sure to capitalize “I.” Here are some questions:
Please tell the jury about your training and experience in determining the cause of fires.
What did you examine in regards to the fire at —————date and place—?
Did you reach any conclusions regarding the cause of the fire?
What is your opinion regarding the cause the of the fire?