If you're there to discuss an evaluation, for example, an attorney will likely ask you to state the purpose of your evaluation, describe how you conducted the evaluation and what your main findings were, says DeMatteo.Ĭross-examination questions can be trickier to predict, but tend to focus on the limitations of your expertise, procedures or conclusions, such as, "Isn't it true that you cannot be 100 percent certain in your conclusion in this case?" For further insights, ask colleagues about the sort of questions they faced when they have testified. Questions to expect during the direct examination are usually straightforward, says DeMatteo. Then use that information to draft answers to the likely flow of questions for the 30 minutes or more you'll be on the stand, says DeMatteo. Ask the lawyer to send you all the information he or she can to familiarize yourself with the case. Here is their advice for ensuring a smooth day in court. Knowing what to expect can make the difference between getting flustered and leaving the courtroom knowing you have played a valuable role in the legal process, say DeMatteo and other psychologists experienced in psycholegal issues. "They wonder, ‘Do I really have the expertise to be testifying in court?'" "Particularly among early career professionals, it's a big source of anxiety," he says. Some fear the public speaking aspect others are nervous about having their work so publicly scrutinized. The thought of getting up on the witness stand can be daunting for many psychologists, says David DeMatteo, JD, PhD, of Drexel University's program in law and psychology. No matter your specialty or work setting, it's likely you will be asked to testify in court at some point in your career, to discuss a client evaluation, as an expert witness about a defendant or litigant, or as an authority in a psychological area.
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