The Witness Stand
A Guide for Clinical Social Workers in the Courtroom
1st Edition
Published on 31. October 2013
142 pages
978-1-135-18734-7 (ISBN)
Description
Learn reliable techniques to prepare and present effective testimony!"Soon after leaving graduate school I was thrown to the courtroom wolves with no preparation. No social worker should have to go through that," says Janet Vogelsang, author of The Witness Stand. Few colleges of social work prepare their students for the inevitable involvement with the courts entailed by their profession. This timely book provides you with a blueprint for presenting yourself as a competent and credible professional in court cases. This indispensable guide tells exactly what happens in court, how to counter common strategies for discrediting your profession, and what to do when your client's attorney is obnoxious. The Witness Stand emphasizes the biopsychosocial assessment as the essential tool for a social worker called on to testify in court. Its helpful features include sample forms and affidavits and actual court testimony. The end-of-chapter summaries can be used for rapid review and as a "to do" checklist for preparing a court case.The Witness Stand offers practical, detailed advice on such matters as:
how the legal system works
how to handle contacts with attorneys and investigators
what to do with documents and files
how to prepare your testimony
how to handle direct testimony and cross-examination
how to define your social work expertise on the stand
what to wear when you go to court
The Witness Stand can help you deal with the anxiety-provoking complexities of the legal system. Instead of being confused or intimidated by legal arcana, you will be well-prepared, well-organized, and ready to present yourself as the confident, reliable professional you are.
how the legal system works
how to handle contacts with attorneys and investigators
what to do with documents and files
how to prepare your testimony
how to handle direct testimony and cross-examination
how to define your social work expertise on the stand
what to wear when you go to court
The Witness Stand can help you deal with the anxiety-provoking complexities of the legal system. Instead of being confused or intimidated by legal arcana, you will be well-prepared, well-organized, and ready to present yourself as the confident, reliable professional you are.
More details
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
File size
1,04 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-135-18734-7 (9781135187347)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Carlton Munson | Janet Vogelsang
The Witness Stand
A Guide for Clinical Social Workers in the Courtroom
Book
06/2001
1st Edition
Routledge
€215.41
Shipment within 10-20 days
Carlton Munson | Janet Vogelsang
The Witness Stand
A Guide for Clinical Social Workers in the Courtroom
Book
06/2001
1st Edition
Routledge
€90.55
Shipment within 10-20 days
Persons
Carlton Munson
Content
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Conclusions About the Witness Stand
How to Use This Book
Chapter 1. How the Court System Works
Types of Courts and Rules of Evidence
Types of Witnesses
American Jurisprudence Proof of Facts
Depositions
The Affidavit
Discovery
Legal Definitions
The Court System and Definitions: Summary
Chapter 2. The Biopsychosocial Assessment As Expertise
Relearning the Biopsychosocial Assessment
Case Example and Testimony Using the Biopsychosocial Assessment
Biopsychosocial Assessment Questionnaires
The Biopsychosocial Assessment: Summary
Chapter 3. Working with the Lawyer on Your Case
Example of Testimony Without Reference to the Client
Working with the Lawyer on Your Case: Summary
Chapter 4. Investigators and Investigations
Checklist for Investigations
Asking for an Investigator
Investigators and Investigations: Summary
Chapter 5. Interviews
Sample Interview with a Mother
Sample Interview with Military Personnel
Interviews: Summary
Chapter 6. Records
Sample of Direct Testimony from Records
Sample of Cross-Examination on the Records
Sample of Direct Testimony in a Sexual Abuse Case
Records: Summary
Chapter 7. Interviewing Other Experts
Example of Testimony Regarding Other Experts
Interviewing Other Experts: Summary
Chapter 8. Research and Other Publications
Case Example 1
Sample of Testimony Regarding Publication of Civil Suit
Case Example 2
Sample of Testimony Using Literature on Sexual Trauma
Research and Other Publications: Summary
Chapter 9. Visual Aids
Examples of Visual Aids
Example of Testimony Using Visual Aids
Visual Aids: Summary
Chapter 10. Preparation of Testimony
Themes, Conclusions, and Sources
Tell the Attorney About Your Opinions
Preparing Direct and Cross-Examination
Preparation of Testimony: Summary
Chapter 11. Qualifying As an Expert
Sample of Qualifying Questions for the Clinical Social Work Expert
Qualifying As an Expert: Summary
Chapter 12. Direct Testimony
Laying the Foundation
Addressing the Court
Direct Testimony: Summary
Chapter 13. Cross-Examination
The Most Commonly Asked Questions on Cross-Examination
Examples of Cross-Examination Questions
Cross-Examination: Summary
Chapter 14. Courtroom Demeanor
Appendix. Tips for Testifying in Court
Talk to the Attorney About the Case
Preparation
On the Witness Stand
Bibliography
Index
Reference Notes Included
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Conclusions About the Witness Stand
How to Use This Book
Chapter 1. How the Court System Works
Types of Courts and Rules of Evidence
Types of Witnesses
American Jurisprudence Proof of Facts
Depositions
The Affidavit
Discovery
Legal Definitions
The Court System and Definitions: Summary
Chapter 2. The Biopsychosocial Assessment As Expertise
Relearning the Biopsychosocial Assessment
Case Example and Testimony Using the Biopsychosocial Assessment
Biopsychosocial Assessment Questionnaires
The Biopsychosocial Assessment: Summary
Chapter 3. Working with the Lawyer on Your Case
Example of Testimony Without Reference to the Client
Working with the Lawyer on Your Case: Summary
Chapter 4. Investigators and Investigations
Checklist for Investigations
Asking for an Investigator
Investigators and Investigations: Summary
Chapter 5. Interviews
Sample Interview with a Mother
Sample Interview with Military Personnel
Interviews: Summary
Chapter 6. Records
Sample of Direct Testimony from Records
Sample of Cross-Examination on the Records
Sample of Direct Testimony in a Sexual Abuse Case
Records: Summary
Chapter 7. Interviewing Other Experts
Example of Testimony Regarding Other Experts
Interviewing Other Experts: Summary
Chapter 8. Research and Other Publications
Case Example 1
Sample of Testimony Regarding Publication of Civil Suit
Case Example 2
Sample of Testimony Using Literature on Sexual Trauma
Research and Other Publications: Summary
Chapter 9. Visual Aids
Examples of Visual Aids
Example of Testimony Using Visual Aids
Visual Aids: Summary
Chapter 10. Preparation of Testimony
Themes, Conclusions, and Sources
Tell the Attorney About Your Opinions
Preparing Direct and Cross-Examination
Preparation of Testimony: Summary
Chapter 11. Qualifying As an Expert
Sample of Qualifying Questions for the Clinical Social Work Expert
Qualifying As an Expert: Summary
Chapter 12. Direct Testimony
Laying the Foundation
Addressing the Court
Direct Testimony: Summary
Chapter 13. Cross-Examination
The Most Commonly Asked Questions on Cross-Examination
Examples of Cross-Examination Questions
Cross-Examination: Summary
Chapter 14. Courtroom Demeanor
Appendix. Tips for Testifying in Court
Talk to the Attorney About the Case
Preparation
On the Witness Stand
Bibliography
Index
Reference Notes Included
