When to Testify for Yourself in Court
Most of the Time Your Attorney Will Recommend that You Do Not Testify on Your Own Behalf
Testify For Yourself in Court If The Evidence is Stacked Against You
If there is a lot of evidence of your guilt and you are guilty it is a good idea to testify for yourself to explain in a calm and reasonable fashion your justification for each piece of evidence against you. If you are not guilty, you may not want to testify for yourself because if you do a poor job on the stand, it may not help your case and it may make it even worse.
However, if there is a lot of evidence against you and you are guilty, you should get up on the stand at the end of the trial. It is important that your testimony is the last that they jury hears. Explain each piece of evidence against you with the most reasonable and justifiable explanation possible. Do not skip once piece of evidence. The one piece of evidence that you do not have an explanation for, is the one piece that will stick in the jurors mind.
Just remember that when you testify in court for any reason, your past will be subject to scrutiny. Information that prosecutors would not be able to submit about your past, can be submitted if you take the stand, such as previous criminal history and other information about your past.
Testify For Yourself in Court If You Are Innocent But The Evidence Makes it Appear That You Are Guilty
In some cases, you may want to testify for yourself in court if you are completely innocent. You should of course discuss the pros and cons of testifying with your attorney. Never represent yourself in court. That is like performing an operation on yourself, it is not a good idea. Always use a professional.
You may be able to take the stand and explain why the evidence is erroneous.
Never Testify For Yourself Just To Tell Your Side Of the Story
Telling your side of the story is a ridiculous reason to take the stand in your own trial. If it does not legally benefit you, do not take the stand.
Always discuss it with your attorney before making the decision to take the stand in your own defense.
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Published by Mitestarossa
Mitestarossa is an online writer who has been published on Ehow.com, Demand Studios, Associated Content and Yahoo Contributor (Hot 100 since November 2010 and Top 1000 in 2010), Bukisa and her own blogs. View profile
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