Are you worried that a criminal conviction might derail your future? If so, then you need to do everything in your power to defend yourself. While this certainly entails gathering witnesses and evidence that show reasonable doubt as to your guilt, it also means doing whatever you can to attack the prosecution’s case. One way to do this is to attack witness credibility.
The importance of attacking witness credibility
In many instances, prosecutors build their cases on witness testimony. Without that testimony, their case is seriously jeopardized. What’s important to remember, though, is that the jury will determine the credibility of witnesses and assign their testimony the weight they deem appropriate. So, drawing a witness’s credibility into question can have a dramatic effect on how a jury weighs his or her testimony.
How to attack witness credibility
You can attack witness credibility in a lot of ways. One way is to point out inconsistencies in their testimony. Deposing the witness well before trial, then referring back to the deposition testimony if it doesn’t match up with the trial testimony usually does this.
Another option is to point out a witness’s biases or motivations that could dictate his or her testimony. This is often seen in cases were an alleged accomplice testifies for the prosecution in exchange for immunity or a favorable plea deal.
You might also be able to draw a jury’s attention to a witness’s poor character with regard to truthfulness. A criminal conviction for something like fraud, for example, can speak volumes as to an individual’s history of acting in a truthful manner.
Fight to protect your rights and your freedom
There’s no doubt that there’s a lot at stake in a criminal case. That’s why you need to engage in every applicable defense tactic possible under the circumstances. An attorney can help you assess your criminal defense options and work with you to develop the best strategy for your case.