Coordinating the attack in trial

• Author: Don Bartell/Mary Catherine McMurray/Anne ImObersteg
• Pages: 551-612

20-1

CHAPTER 20

COORDINATING THE

ATTACK IN TRIAL

I. GENERAL POINTS

§20:01 The Challenge of Drunk Driving Cases

§20:02 The Inside Information

§20:03 The Basic Problem

§20:04 The Basic Strategy

§20:05 Checklist for Coordinating the Attack

II. STEPS BEFORE TRIAL

A. General Points

§20:10 It’s a Deuce

§20:10.1 Try the Case with a Co-Counsel

§20:11 Prepare the Jury Instructions Before Trial

B. Create a Time Line

§20:20 Know the Facts

§20:21 Discover Problems With the Off‌icer’s Investigation

§20:22 Engage the Jury

C. Visit the Scene

§20:30 Firsthand Knowledge Is Essential

§20:31 Check the Distances and Times

§20:32 Get the Client Involved

§20:33 Photograph the Scene

§20:34 Keep Opposing Witnesses Honest

§20:35 Judicial Notice and Internet Maps

D. Witness and Discovery Problems

§20:40 Exchanging Witness Lists

§20:41 Subpoenaing Witnesses

§20:42 Keep Your Expert Available

III. THE SCIENCE OF MAKING OBJECTIONS IN DUI CASES

A. General Points

§20:45 Basic Considerations

COORDINATING THE

ATTACK IN TRIAL

Attacking and Defending Drunk Driving Tests 20-2

COORDINATING THE

ATTACK IN TRIAL

§20:46 Rule Number One—Do You Want to Object?

§20:47 When to Make an Objection

§20:48 Federalize Your Objections

B. Recurring Objections

§20:50 Voir Dire

§20:51 Opening Statement

§20:52 Examination of the Police Off‌icer

§20:53 Examination of the State’s Percipient Witnesses

§20:54 Examination of the Phlebotomist

§20:55 Examination of the State’s Criminalist

§20:56 Cross-Examination of Defense Percipient Witnesses

§20:57 Cross-Examination of the Defense Toxicologist

§20:58 The Defendant

§20:59 Closing Argument

C. The Confrontation Clause

§20:59.1 Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts

§20:59.2 Michigan v. Bryant

§20:59.3 Bullcoming v. New Mexico

§20:59.4 The Fundamental Holding of Melendez-Diaz, Bryant & Bullcoming

§20:59.5 Key Quotes From Melendez-Diaz

§20:59.6 DUI Implications of Melendez-Diaz

§20:59.7 Williams v. Illinois

§20:59.8 Flow Chart for Confrontation Objections

D. Prosecutorial Misconduct

§20:.59.10 Attacking Defense Experts for Getting Paid

§20:.59.11 Attacking Defense Counsel

§20:.59.12 Commenting that Defense Counsel Knows the Client is Guilty

§20:.59.13 Vouching for Government Witnesses

§20:.59.14 Commenting on Defendant’s Failure to Testify

§20:.59.15 Minimizing Concept of Reasonable Doubt

§20:.59.16 Making and Preserving the Objection

§20:.59.17 Effect of Granting a Mistrial

IV. THE TRIAL

A. General Points

§20:60 The Pretrial Conference

§20:61 Be Likeable

§20:62 Dress the Client Appropriately

§20:63 Emphasize the Client’s Cooperation

§20:64 Keep it Simple

§20:65 Find a Villain

§20:66 Lay a Foundation and Present the Bad Fact Last

§20:67 Surround the Bad Fact With Good Facts

§20:68 Juxtapose the Bad Fact With Worse Facts

§20:69 Divert Attention From Bad Facts by Attacking

B. Opening Statements

§20:70 An Opening Statement Is a Necessity

§20:71 Get the Defendant’s Story Out

§20:72 Discuss the Driving Pattern and the Field Sobriety Tests

§20:73 Explain How the Breath or Blood Test Was Performed

§20:74 Tell the Jury the Result of the Blood Alcohol Test

§20:75 Make the Opening Statement a Defense Rebuttal

§20:76 Tell the Jury What You Want

20-3 Coordinating the Attack in Trial

COORDINATING THE

ATTACK IN TRIAL

C. Cross-Examining the State’s Witnesses

1. The Police Off‌icer

a. General Points

§20:80 Begin With Good Points

§20:81 Sometimes Begin With the Hot Topic

§20:82 Sample Beginning Examination on the Hot Topic

§20:83 General Rules to Follow and to Avoid

§20:84 Some Different Angles on Police Reports

b. Questions to Ask Arresting Off‌icers

§20:90 Academy Training

§20:91 Video Tape

§20:92 The Written ABC Test

§20:93 Time the Field Sobriety Test Instructions

§20:94 The Arresting Off‌icer Needs Only Probable Cause

§20:95 Things Not in the Police Report

§20:96 Are You Sure?

§20:97 Examine the Arresting Off‌icer’s Eyes

§20:98 Dealing With Claims of Weaving

§20:99 Cross-Examining Two Police Off‌icers

§20:100 The Defendant Never Asked to Go to the Bathroom

2. The State’s Expert (Seven Step Method)

§20:110 General Points

§20:111 Step 1: The Expert’s Bias

§20:112 Step 2: The Expert’s Lack of Personal Knowledge

§20:113 Step 3: The Expert’s Lack of True Expertise

§20:114 Step 4: Ask Questions Beyond Legitimate Dispute

§20:115 Step 5: Show That Microscopic Measurements Were Made

§20:116 Step 6: Dismantle the Big Hypothetical

§20:117 Step 7: Attack the Widmark Calculations

3. The Screening Device Coordinator

§20:120 General Points

§20:121 Move to Suppress

§20:122 Object to References to the Calibration Solution

§20:123 Watch the Claim of the Calibration Solution Percentage

§20:124 Watch the Observation Period

§20:125 Note the Lack of a Slope Detector

§20:126 Ask for a Jury Instruction

4. Controlling the State’s Witnesses During Cross-Examination

§20:127 Anticipate Recalcitrant Witnesses

§20:128 Bartell’s Top 10 Tools To Control Witnesses

§20:128.1 Repeat the Question

§20:128.2 Ask the Question Again Slowly

§20:128.3 Ask the Question with Opposite Facts

§20:128.4 Offer to Rephrase the Question

§20:128.5 So Yes is Your Answer?

§20:128.6 Ask the Court Reporter to Read Back the Question

§20:128.7 Put Your Hand Up like a Stop Sign

§20:128.8 Address the Witness Formally

§20:128.9 Write the Question on the Chalkboard

§20:128.10 The Premeditated Poster

§20:129 Bartell’s Chart of Top 10 Tools to Control Witnesses