Spotlight on Training

The right to counsel must include the right to an attorney with the skill, training, and knowledge to challenge the government's evidence and to present a defense. Too often public defense attorneys lack the time and resources to attend trainings or conduct significant research on issues. To help fill those gaps, NACDL provides webinars, videos and training programs on cutting edge issues as well as on fundamental topics and trial skills. 

No courtroom skill is more fundamental to a defense attorney's practice than cross-examination. Effective cross starts with a strong foundation of core skills, but can take many forms. The cross of a 10-year-old child will look very different from the cross of a 10-year veteran police detective; techniques used to expose expert bias may not be effective to expose an eyewitness's mistake. Here are some resources to help defenders hone this vital skill.

Powerful Cross-Examination by Abe Hutt

 

Cross of Digital Experts by Alice Fontier

Want More Cross?
Jen Sellitti

Additional NACDL Member Resources on Cross

  Join us for NACDL's Spring Meeting!

Larry Pozner, a master of cross-examination, and co-author of "Cross-Examination: Science and Technique" will be the featured speaker in a special 4-hour session.

Cross-Examination Manuals, Video, & Self-Study CLE
Visit the NACDL Store

  • image of Sample Cross Collection product from the NACDL store
  • image of Investigating & Impeaching Snitches, & Cooperating Witnesses product from the NACDL store
  • image of Cross-Examining the Child Witness product from the NACDL store
  • image of I'm Certain I Think I Saw Him: Litigating Eyewitness Identification Cases manual from the NACDL store
  • image of Impeachment by Inconsistent Statement product from the NACDL store
  • image of Prepping Your Client & Your Witnesses for Cross product from the NACDL store
  • image of Pattern Cross-Examination for Sexual Assault Cases: Trial Strategy Guide product from the NACDL store
  • image of Walking the Line: Effective Communication & Storytelling Techniques product from the NACDL store

NACDL's Mission

NACDL envisions a society where all individuals receive fair, rational, and humane treatment within the criminal justice system. 

NACDL’s mission is to serve as a leader, alongside diverse coalitions, in identifying and reforming flaws and inequities in the criminal justice system, and redressing systemic racism, and ensuring that its members and others in the criminal defense bar are fully equipped to serve all accused persons at the highest level.

The Spotlight on Training is designed to be a resource to the defender community to further NACDL's Mission. Help us to help you--tell us what would you like to see in the Sportlight on Training.

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View Other NACDL Public Defense Trainings  NACDL Training on YouTube NACDL Live CLE Calander Public Defense Scholarship Program

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