Testifying In Court

The third edition of this classic resource provides mental health professionals with pithy, practical advice for testifying in court with the same wit and whimsy and a revamped structure.

In both factual and easy-to-read fashion, author Vukelic offers 41 significant tips about how to be an effective witness, while providing anecdoes and sample dialogues that take place in court. Testifying Undr Oath will help witnesses testify more effectively, take the mystery out of court proceedings, provide concrete evidence on how to be a persuasive witness, expose tricks and traps used by an attorney, offer ways of dealing with tricks and traps.

A one-stop guide to testifying in court for mental health professionals Even the most seasoned mental health professionals can find themselves unnerved by the prospect of appearing in court, especially when presented with it for the first time. Those in the mental health field usually have no formal preparation for testifying in court, even though they often play an important part in many types of cases. The Portable Guide to Testifying in Court for Mental Health Professionals provides a concise yet comprehensive guide for practitioners preparing to appear in court. The authors employ their combined decades of legal work in the mental health field to provide a clear, no-nonsense handbook of what to expect, how to prepare, and what to look out for when testifying in court. Along with a general introduction to courts and the legal system, the text details topics such as: * Testifying both as an expert and involuntary witness * Protecting clients when bringing therapy into testimony * Preparing for testimony * Tips to use and lawyers' tricks to look out for when testifying in court Throughout the book, Bernstein and Hartsell use detailed case studies to provide specific examples. In addition, "legal light bulbs" offer important tips and facts, and appendices list relevant Web resources and provide common legal forms. A one-of-a-kind resource, The Portable Guide to Testifying in Court for Mental Health Professionals gives a complete view of your role in courtroom proceedings, offering a vital tool for both legal and mental health practices.

Interacting with the legal system can be stressful and intimidating for mental health professionals. This trusted book provides user-friendly strategies to help clinicians prepare for giving testimony in court and participating in other legal proceedings. Using vivid case scenarios from family, criminal, and mental health law, the author explains legal terms and offers practical suggestions for avoiding pitfalls and managing ethical dilemmas. Thoroughly revised to incorporate updates in research, case law, statutes, and practice, the second edition addresses several new topics and includes an appendix with reflection questions extending the scope of each chapter. The book takes clinicians through the entire legal process, from first contact and the preparation stage to testimony and follow-up. It covers the nuts and bolts of how to respond to subpoenas, consult and strategize with attorneys, and develop sound record-keeping practices. Guidelines are presented for performing effectively on the stand as a fact witness or expert witness. The second edition gives increased attention to ethical issues, such as dual relationships, professional boundaries, confidentiality, and competence. It also explores special issues that may arise in cases involving children and examines the developing role of mental health professionals as forensic consultants. Reproducible agreements and other sample documentation can be photocopied from the appendices or downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. Supplemental materials for course use--including an instructor's manual--are available at the author's website. Written in an empathetic, down-to-earth style, this book is an invaluable resource for clinical psychologists, social workers, family therapists and counselors, psychiatrists, and child welfare professionals, as well as forensic psychologists and psychiatrists. It is widely used as a text in graduate-level courses dealing with clinical practice and the law.

Testifying in court can be a challenging experience. Novices who are unfamiliar with the judicial environment can feel insecure about many aspects of their testimony, from the language they use to the clothes they wear. Even experienced expert witnesses can be flustered by a skillful lawyer's cross-examination. For over 20 years, Stanley Brodsky's Testifying in Court has been a trusted guide for expert witnesses across a variety of professions. Readers have come to know and trust his sage and good-humored advice on every aspect of the experience from initial preparations to maintaining power and control during cross-examination. In this extensively updated edition of his classic text, the author has combined a wealth of new research with feedback from users of the first edition and his own evolving experience as an expert witness. As in the first edition, key principles are addressed in brief essays that draw on real-life scenarios and end in a take-home maxim.