Depositions are most often used in civil cases. But that doesn't have to be the case. Depositions can be quite effective in criminal cases as well, especially cases that have out-of-town witnesses, or others that may later become unavailable for trial. The latest issue of The Champion, the newsletter of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), has a good article about Taking an Effective Deposition in a Criminal Case.
Chapter 39 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure governs depositions for criminal cases in Texas. That is the place to start if you think a deposition might be appropriate for your case.
*A note from past experience: If you are planning to take a deposition of a foreign national in another country, please be sure to research the host nation's laws on depositions. I almost messed that one up with a deposition I had to take in Okinawa.
Showing posts with label NACDL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NACDL. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Monday, March 29, 2010
Back from the Forensic Science Conference
I just returned from the NACDL 3rd Annual Forensic Evidence Conference in Las Vegas. The program was a 2-day event featuring various presentations regarding the use of forensic evidence by criminal defense lawyers. If you get the chance next year, I would definitely recommend attending - it will be in Las Vegas again and hopefully the craps tables will be just as hot!
One of the most interesting presentations (for me) was on the use of graphics in the courtroom. G. Christopher Ritter, who wrote the book Creating Winning Trial Strategies and Graphics, gave an excellent lecture with several graphical examples on how to appeal to juries through the use of graphics.
The other presentation that was particularly appealing, was given by the lead defense attorney for the Michael Peterson murder trial where he showed several intriguing clips from the documentary "The Staircase." The focus of the lecture was on "junk science" and how to expose it to the jury. "The Staircase" will be my next rental from the video store - it is a documentary that no criminal defense attorney should miss.
Now it's time to get back to blawgging.
One of the most interesting presentations (for me) was on the use of graphics in the courtroom. G. Christopher Ritter, who wrote the book Creating Winning Trial Strategies and Graphics, gave an excellent lecture with several graphical examples on how to appeal to juries through the use of graphics.
The other presentation that was particularly appealing, was given by the lead defense attorney for the Michael Peterson murder trial where he showed several intriguing clips from the documentary "The Staircase." The focus of the lecture was on "junk science" and how to expose it to the jury. "The Staircase" will be my next rental from the video store - it is a documentary that no criminal defense attorney should miss.
Now it's time to get back to blawgging.
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