Section 10.14 Style

• Library: Civil Trial Practice 2015 Supp

5. (§10.14) Style

Each attorney must develop his or her own style of cross-examination. That style should be sufficiently flexible to permit adaptation to particular witnesses and circumstances.

Ordinarily a calm, rational approach is desirable in cross-examination. There are, however, witnesses and circumstances that justify righteous indignation and questions that drip with sarcasm. But counsel must be careful, of course, not to carry such an approach too far lest the jury develop resentment for counsel...