Why do lawyers ask the same question over and over?

Asked by: Maymie Greenfelder  |  Last update: September 20, 2023
Score: 5/5 (14 votes)

Therefore, your attorney may ask you essentially the same question several times in an attempt to get every little detail out of you because that missing detail could cripple your defense in the middle of a trial.

What is it called when that attorney is asking their second round of questions?

When the lawyer for the plaintiff or the government has finished questioning a witness, the lawyer for the defendant may then cross-examine the witness. Cross-examination is generally limited to questioning only on matters that were raised during direct examination.

Why do lawyers withdraw questions?

In real life, lawyers most often do it because they realize their own question is garbled or unintelligible. On TV, it is done to interject improper evidence at a trial. If that is done in real life, the lawyer doing so would, at a minimum, be harshly chastised by the judge in front of the jury.

Is it wise to tell your lawyer everything?

A Well-Informed Attorney is a Prepared Attorney

You should not hold any information back, even if it makes it clear you committed a crime. Your attorney needs as much detail as possible when preparing your case. They can create the most advantageous defense for you only if they know everything that actually happened.

Why do lawyers keep saying objection?

When an attorney objects, it means they wish the court to disallow a question, witness testimony, or other evidence that would go against the rules of evidence or other procedural law. In simpler words, when an attorney says “objection,” it means they think the opponent violated a procedural law or rule of evidence.

How to ask questions like a lawyer

28 related questions found

What do lawyers say in court when they don't agree?

When a lawyer says "objection" during court, he is telling the judge that he thinks his opponent violated a rule of procedure. The judge's ruling determines what the jury is allowed to consider when deciding the verdict of a case.

Do lawyers ask questions they know will be objected?

That depends on the nature of the question you pose. If it particularly inflammatory, or, violates a court order, then the argument can be made. If, however, it's more of a question that might be objected to, no, not at all.

What not to tell a lawyer?

Top 5 things you should never tell your lawyer
  • My case will be easy money for you. ...
  • I have already done the work for you. ...
  • I forgot I had an appointment. ...
  • I've already talked to a lot of other lawyers. ...
  • I don't have all my documents.

Do people tell their lawyers if they are guilty?

It would be best if you were honest with your criminal defense attorney. Your criminal defense attorney will not offer you lesser representation simply because they believe you committed a crime. In fact, some attorneys assume their clients are guilty to help them present the best defense.

Do clients tell their lawyers the truth?

If the lawyer asks the client to tell them the truth about what occurred, the client should be honest. However, if the client was dishonest at the very beginning and then decides to tell the “real truth,” it can create complications in the lawyer's ability to defend them effectively.

Why do lawyers fire clients?

The Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California specify three circumstances under which an attorney must terminate a client relationship: (1) where the attorney knows or should know that a client is bringing an action, conducting a defense, asserting a position in litigation, or taking an appeal, ...

What is it called when you get questioned by a lawyer?

examination. n. 1) the questioning of a witness by an attorney. Direct examination is interrogation by the attorney who called the witness, and cross-examination is questioning by the opposing attorney.

Can lawyers only ask yes or no questions?

The first purpose of cross-examination is to ask questions designed to get answers that will build up the credibility of the questioner's own witnesses. To do this, the lawyer carefully controls the witness by using “closed” questions (for example, questions that can only be answered “yes” or “no,”).

Can you say I don't recall in court?

Any answer – even “I don't recall” – must be truthful

First of all, if you say you don't recall, you need to be telling the truth. If you don't “recall” something you've talked or otherwise communicated with people about, it may only be a matter of time before that comes to light and you could face a perjury charge.

What are two questions one should ask of their attorney?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation
  • 1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?
  • 2) What would be your strategy for my case?
  • 3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?
  • 4) What are my possible outcomes?
  • 5) Who will actually handle my case?
  • 6) What is my role in my case?

What makes a bad witness?

An attorney can show jurors a witness is not credible by showing: 1) inconsistent statements, 2) reputation for untruthfulness, 3) defects in perception, 4) prior convictions that show dishonesty or untruthfulness, and 5) bias.

Do lawyers always believe their clients?

Defense lawyers are ethically bound to zealously represent all clients, including those they believe will justly be found guilty, as well as those they believe are factually innocent.

Can you be honest with your lawyer?

Be honest with your attorney

Most of the time, your attorney will know some of the questions that the opposing lawyer is going to ask and needs to know how you're going to answer them. If you don't tell him truthfully, then the opposing counsel might bring something up that blindsides them at trial.

What happens if a lawyer snitches?

The lawyer-client confidentiality trumps his duties as an officer of the court. He could be disbarred for revealing your confession in this case. Unless there is imminent danger to a living person, the lawyer must protect his client's rights to confidentiality by law.

When you don't trust your lawyer?

If you think your attorney has acted unethically

You can complete a complaint form online or download a PDF complaint form from the State Bar's website. You may also call the State Bar at 800-843-9053 (in California) or 213-765-1200 (outside California) to discuss the complaint-filing process.

Do lawyers tell you what you want to hear?

Often lawyers tell clients what clients want to hear. They do this in order to be liked and in order to get or keep business. Such attorneys lose effectiveness because the client is not getting honest advice.

What are 3 negative things about being a lawyer?

Cons of Being a Lawyer
  • High-Stress Environment. Lawyers must get used to stressful situations, even while in law school. ...
  • Difficult Clients. Sometimes lawyers just can't avoid getting difficult clients. ...
  • Stigma. ...
  • Expensive Education. ...
  • Outsourced Lawyers.

How do lawyers know when to object?

In the case of witness testimony or physical evidence, an attorney can object when they believe the rules of evidence have been violated. After an objection has been made, the judge can agree and sustain the objection or overrule the objection. In this sense, you can understand why a judge is called a judge.

What is an example of badgering the witness?

Badgering the witness often comes in the form of argumentative questions where the attorney asks the witness not about facts but to make conclusions from those facts. For example, an attorney would be making an argumentative question if they asked: you yelling at that person means you must be very aggressive?