Witness Instructions That Work!

How to Answer Questions

• Listen
  Listen carefully to the question that is asked, and answer it. This is particularly true when it is the judge who asks the question. You may explain your answer, but answer the question.

• Don't Guess
  If your answer is an estimate or only an approximation, say so. It is okay to say you are making an estimate, but you should not just guess at an answer.

• Don't Worry.
  Don't worry about whether you look stupid. Just tell the truth, and don't make up answers when you aren't sure of the answer. For example. if an attorney says to you in an indignant and shocked manner, "Didn't you read that before you signed it?!" if you did not read it before signing it, say so. Don't let the attorney's manner bully you into an incorrect answer. Don't let your fear of looking stupid push you into making up answers.

• Answer Questions Directly and Simply
  The best answer starts with a "yes" or a "no" (if the question can be answered "yes" or "no"), and then has one to three sentences of explanation. For example, "Yes, we have three children." "Yes, when we married, we put a down payment on the home, my parents loaned us $20,000, and the entire amount was used for the down payment."