Team A notes from last week!

Brittany took notes on us! Hoorah! This is excellent feedback, I thought I'd show you guys, because it pertains to all of us. :)

(OS) I liked how it was clearly outlined from the start - defendent was being convicted of 3 things-good job bringing in motive/means/opportunity-On the whole, it didn't sound scripted like some teams (phew!) but there was still a slight stiffness in the way some of the witnesses answered questions. Get "in character" to the point where you really believe you ARE that character, and you know/believe your story as if you are that person. At that point, you won't be going down the script answering your questions; you will be telling "your" story and it will be a million times more convincing.-I liked when the redirects effectively gave the witness a chance to recover and explain themselves when they had been beaten down by the cross.-Witnesses on cross: stay confident and stand up for yourself, even if you feel like you're making stuff up to fill in the blanks. It is kind of a game of thinking on your feet...and being convincing of it.-Witnesses: my own personal "thing" is when you're answering questions, don't mechanically turn to the attorney for the question then (still mechanically) turn to the judge and recite your answer. I try to find a happy medium point in my chair between the attorney/judge, and then direct my response mostly towards the judge but make it natural too -- and occasionally look at the attorney. Seems more relaxed/believable, in my opinion.-Cross: don't be afraid to politely make the hostile witness squirm. Hold their hand and gently guide them down into the pits of their own contraditions. Um, flaxen cords mean anything? They won't know what hit them ;)-Witnesses on cross: it's a rather difficult line to draw sometimes, but try to still get out a lot of information when you're answering your questions. Don't be obnoxious and stubborn about trying to expand ALL of your responses, but don't make it easy (yes. yes. yes. yes. no. no. etc.) for your hostile attorney.-LAY FOUNDATION FOR YOUR EXHIBITS! Then, ask the judge for permission to approach the witness, but before you actually go up to the witness, let the judge know EXACTLY what you'll be referring to, and let the judge know that they and the opposing team have both been provided with a copy. I think this was kind of a universal struggle that day.-Overall, great job on your first trial. Stay confident and poised :)