Chapter 18, Preparation for Court

Question 1

Officers should disclose the following in trial:

Answer 1

1. Info beneficial to the defendant (disclosure of exculpatory evidence)
2. Disclosure of exculpatory info or other flaws in case
3. Familiarity with the rules of evidence
4. notes and reports in courtroom
5. physical evidence
6. witnesses
7. communication with defense attorneys
8. testifying for defendant

Question 2

Investigators courtroom checklist

Answer 2

elements of offense
probable cause for arrest
defendants story
confession of suspect ion
prior statements and testimony of witnesses
reliability of witnesses
warrants and affidavits
physical evidence
Exhibits, sketches, diagrams

Question 3

testifying in court

Answer 3

1. confine the testimony to known facts
2. avoid expressing opinions or conclusions except when they are authorized by rules of evidence (- direct examination and cross examination)
3. speak calmly - audibly
4. use plain understood terms
   6 don’t volunteer information
   7 maintain self control

Question 4

deception in police work

Answer 4

understanding the difference between deceptive conduct and deceptive misconduct - deception is not only condoned but also encouraged or even required in police work

Question 5

Expert Witness Role

Answer 5

prosecutor locate an officer with extensive experience in given area.
expert witness is one whose knowledge exceeds those of moderate education or experience in field -

Question 6

types of witnesses in courtroom testimony

Answer 6

1. fact witness
2. Expert Witness
3. Police officer

Question 7

1. fact witness

Answer 7

has personal knowledge of events pertaining to a case and can only testify to things he or she personally saw

Question 8

2. Expert witness

Answer 8

permitted to offer opinions that may assist the judge or jury in understanding specialized technical knowledge that would otherwise be beyond their experience

Question 9

Police officer as witness (3)

Answer 9

straddles the domains of face and expert witnesses. may be asked bout what he/and or the defendant did (like a fact witness) and then be asked to state an opinion ( like an expert witness)

Question 10

steps to prepare for an upcoming trial

Answer 10

cooperate fully with prosecutors in prep of testimony and other evidence
pretrial conference held between prosecutor and officers testifying
officers provide prosecutors with all info, for defendant and prosecutor
familiarity with rules of evidence

Question 11

how to properly testify on witness stand

Answer 11

confine the testimony to known facts
avoid expressing opinions or conclusions
don't volunteer info
speak calmly and audibly
plain easy terms
self control

Question 12

pitfalls when testifying in court

Answer 12

• be aware of questions involving distance and time
• if asked by opposing counsel if you talked to opposing council admit freely
• if asked why you don’t like the def, respond that you feel sorry for anyone in trouble
• if asked why you are here, say you are in the courtroom in response to being served with subpoena issued by the court clerk

Question 13

lay witness

Answer 13

witnesses who are not expert witnesses