Cross-Examination For Prosecutors The National Traffic Law Center is a program of the National District Attorneys Association. This document was prepared under Cooperative Agreement Number DTNH22-05-H-05166 from the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the Department of Transportation, NHTSA, or the National District Attorneys Association. Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................... iv PREFACE ........................................................................................................................... v OBJECTIVES FOR CROSS-EXAMINATION .................................................................... 1 PREPARATION ..................................................................................................................2 Reviewing the case file ..................................................................................................... 2 Interviewing all witnesses .............................................................................................. 3 Visiting the scene ............................................................................................................. 3 Anticipating the defense ................................................................................................. 4 METHODS OF CROSS-EXAMINATION ....................................................................... 6 Gaining Concessions ...................................................................................................... 6 Reiterating and Emphasizing Facts ..................................................................... 7 New Facts .............................................................................................................. 8 Alternative Facts ................................................................................................... 8 Deleted Facts ........................................................................................................ 9 Mistakes ................................................................................................................ 9 Impeaching a Witness ................................................................................................... 10 Bias ..................................................................................................................... 10 Perception and Recall ......................................................................................... 10 Lack of Personal or First Hand Knowledge ...................................................... 12 Competency ........................................................................................................ 13 Physical Evidence ............................................................................................... 14 Inconsistencies ................................................................................................... 14 Prior Inconsistent Statements ............................................................... 15 Prior Consistent Statements ................................................................. 16 Behavioral Inconsistencies ................................................................. 16 Lack of Corroboration ........................................................................................ 16 Prior Bad Acts .................................................................................................... 17 Character and Credibility .................................................................... 17 Criminal Convictions ............................................................................ 17 CONTROLLING CROSS-EXAMINATION ............................................................... 18 Form of Questions ........................................................................................................... 18 Order of Questioning ...................................................................................................... 19 CROSS-EXAMINATION OF THE EXPERT WITNESS ................................................. 19 Identifying the Expert Opinion and the Basis for It ....................................................... 20 Research the Witness’s Background ............................................................................... 21 Research the Science ....................................................................................................... 22 Challenging Expertise ..................................................................................................... 23 Impeachment of an Expert Witness by Prior Inconsistent Statements .......................... 24 Impeachment Using an Article Written by the Witness .................................................. 26 Countering Escape and Evasion Techniques ................................................................. 27 CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................28 i EXPERT WITNESS ADDENDUM ............................................................................................ 29 Medical Experts ............................................................................................................................ 29 Collision Reconstructionists ........................................................................................................ 29 APPENDIX ................................................................................................................................... 33 Resources and References ............................................................................................................ 33 General Resources ..........................................................................................................33 Medical Expert Resources .............................................................................................. 33 Administrative and Federal Procedure .......................................................................... 34 Crash Reconstruction Resources ................................................................................... 34 Suggested Reading ....................................................................................................................... 34 Other Publications Available From the National Traffic Law Center ..................................... 35 ii INTRODUCTION Cross-examination is an art form only occasionally practiced by prosecutors, who instead necessarily focus much of their efforts on direct examination. This is brought on by the prosecution bearing the burden of proof and the simple realities of many criminal trials where the defense may choose to present few or no witnesses. DUI cases, however, are often complex and more scientific or technical in nature than many other types of criminal cases. Accordingly, the prosecutor’s opportunity to conduct a cross-examination, particularly of an expert witness, is greater. This monograph was developed to assist prosecutors in understanding the basic goals, methods, and forms of cross-examination when dealing with all witnesses. In addition, the monograph provides guidance specific to expert witnesses. The National Traffic Law Center previously published Basic Trial Advocacy for Prosecutors, thanks to a contribution from a charitable foundation, discussing such trial advocacy topics as pre-trial preparation, voir dire, opening, direct examination, cross- examination and closing argument. In addition, the National Traffic Law Center created a DWI Prosecutor’s Handbook, in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and various vehicular crime prosecutors and experts from across the country. This monograph covers such topics as case evaluation and review, trial preparation, and common defenses and challenges. Both monographs may be obtained by contacting the National Traffic Law Center of the National District Attorneys Association at [email protected] or 703-549-9222. For the purposes of this publication the terms DUI (driving under the influence), DWI (driving while intoxicated or impaired) and OUI (operating under the influence) are considered interchangeable for the purposes of this publication. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This guide was created by the National Traffic Law Center of the National District Attorneys Association and is the result of a collaborative effort of the following traffic safety professionals: James Camp, Tennessee Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Erin Inman, Montana Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Joanne E. Michaels, Program Director, National Traffic Law Center of the National District Attorneys Association Mark M. Neil, Senior Attorney, National Traffic Law Center of the National District Attorneys Association Deena Ryerson, Oregon Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Kristen K. Shea, Senior Attorney, National Traffic Law Center of the National District Attorneys Association John E. Sullivan, III, Rhode Island Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Brian Chodrow, Program Analyst, Impaired Driving Division, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, served as the Contracting Officers