What should you avoid doing on the witness stand?

When testifying on the witness stand, it is essential to maintain clarity and credibility. Avoiding "we" statements helps reinforce personal responsibility and the account of events, ensuring that your testimony is credible and directly related to your own observations and knowledge. This approach allows for a more straightforward presentation of facts rather than implying shared responsibility or collective memory, which can complicate testimony and reduce its effectiveness.

Similarly, leaning into the microphone may seem like a harmless gesture, but it can unintentionally detract from your composure and the professionalism of your testimony. It might also lead to sound quality issues, making it harder for the jury or judge to hear your statements clearly.

Opinion statements should also be avoided, as they can undermine the objectivity of your testimony. Courts rely on factual evidence, and opining about events can shift the focus from what you observed to personal interpretations, which may not hold up under scrutiny. Keeping testimony factual and based on observation is crucial to upholding the integrity of your statements.

Therefore, all of these practices contribute to delivering effective testimony in a legal setting, which is why they should be avoided.