Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Duty Calls

Milbarge blogs about reporting for jury duty. One point I found interesting:
Here's what I realized. Unless you're a really good liar, I think it would be hard to lie well in court. Every hesitation seemed magnified and was pounced on. Every equivocation or contradiction was delved into. I can't imagine the pressure of having to lie for my liberty. I mean, I'm a freaking lawyer, I was expecting the question, there was zero pressure, I was in the jury box and not the witness chair, and "Duh-huh, well, jury duty's important, I reckon!" was the best I could manage. Maybe psychopaths or practiced liars get better at it, but I don't think my normal over-rationalizing style would come across well to a jury.

I've been deposed a couple of times, and had to testify in the removal hearings for Judge Holien, and while I come across well (blame the actress training) I do tend to do completely break the rule to (in my own words) answer only the question asked, then shut the f*ck up. I don't answer a leading question yes or no. I expand on my answer. I somehow feel the need to be very, very clear and complete in order to be fully understood. In other words, I talk too much. (Go ahead and comment. I know it, and everyone on this site has figured it out unless they're completely brain dead.) If I've somehow gotten in the position of being a witness in your case, and you're trying to slide something by without opening the door for cross, you'd better warn me about it beforehand.

No comments: