BASIC RULES FOR THE

EXAMINATION OF
WITNESSES

Jose Luis Pacquiao

Andrea Ivanne D.
Panganiban
RULE #1

Keep it SHORT
RULE #2

Every question you

ask should be a
YES or NO
RULE #3

Know the ANSWER

in advance.
RULE #4

Only cross examine

witnesses that can HURT
or SUPPORT your theory
of the case.
RULE #5

Be the IN-CHARGE
HOW TO ASK THE QUESTIONS

Step #1:

Goal: CONTROL
 Step #2:

You state facts and the witness simply

agrees or disagrees with them
ONE BY ONE
 Step #3:

LEADING QUESTION+TAG LINE

 Step #4:
THE L1 RULE

*Ask mostly Leading

questions
*Ask only 1 fact per question
EXAMPLE:
Counsel: Mr. Witness, you work for Mr. Bush,
right?
Witness: Yes