Witness Tips

If you are required to appear in court as a witness, here are some helpful tips:

• Tell the Truth
  • The most important advice to provide is to tell the truth.
• Dress Appropriately
  • It is not mandatory to wear a suit, but dress appropriately, court is a formal setting and witnesses should dress accordingly.
  • It is important to present yourself as respectably as possible in court.
• Be Prepared
  • Prior to your court session, think about the types of questions you will probably be asked and think about the answers you will give to be most prepared.
• Stick to the Facts
  • The Judge wants to hear only the facts as you know them to be, the Judge will not want to hear what someone else told you.
• Relax, Speak Clearly
  • When giving truthful answers, you have nothing to fear.
  • Speak clearly when you give the Judge your answer, when you are asked questions.
• Do Not Get Frustrated
  • If there is a questions you don’t understand a question, ask that it be repeated.
  • Speak your answers clearly.
  • Some questions might seem repetitive or irrelevant, but the attorneys are doing their job, and your job as a witness is to answer their questions to the best of your ability.
  • If you become frustrated, you will need to try to keep your composure on the stand.