Defendant Testify? The Shocking Jury Psychology Verdict Revealed Now
Should a criminal defendant testify? Usually not—and they're never required to, explains Pierce County, Washington attorney Spencer Freeman, whose clients take the stand maybe ten percent of the time. The risk is cross-examination making an honest client look evasive. Sometimes only the defendant can tell the story, but ultimately it's the client's own constitutional choice, not the lawyer's.
Excerpt summaries from the video and transcripts · how we make them
Answered by Spencer Freeman · Pierce County, WA
Highlights
Frequently Asked Questions
Should a defendant testify?
Usually not, and they're never required to—clients take the stand maybe ten percent of the time, since cross-examination can make an honest client look evasive.
Who decides whether to testify?
It's ultimately the client's own constitutional choice, not the lawyer's, even though sometimes only the defendant can tell the story.
→ Full interview on Attorneys.Media
More Criminal Law answers
Legal news in Washington
Links to outside sources. Not written or reviewed by the attorney.