NCJ Number
7990
Date Published
1965
Length
8 pages
Annotation
GUIDELINES FOR THE TRAFFIC PATROLMAN TO FOLLOW WHEN IT IS NECESSARY FOR HIM TO APPEAR IN COURT.
Abstract
DILIGENT INVESTIGATION AND CAREFUL PREPARATION OF CASES MAY BE WASTED IF THE TRAFFIC OFFICER FAILS THE IMPORTANT TASK OF GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT. THE THREE KINDS OF COURT SITUATIONS ENCOUNTERED IN TRAFFIC CASES - SIMPLE HEARINGS, MAGISTRATE WITHOUT A JURY, AND JURY TRIALS ARE EACH COVERED IN TURN. THE VARYING RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN OFFICER IN EACH SITUATION ARE DISCUSSED AS ARE PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND PROPER COURTROOM DEMEANOR. THE PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED IN GIVING TESTIMONY ARE DELINEATED WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR MAKING A CONVINCING PRESENTATION OF THE FACTS. THE DOCUMENT ALSO DESCRIBES WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN BEING CROSS-EXAMINED AND ALERTS THE OFFICER TO UNEXPECTED LINES OF QUESTIONING AND OTHER MEANS EMPLOYED BY CROSS-EXAMINERS IN ATTEMPTS TO DISCREDIT TESTIMONY. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OF ALL TYPES WILL FIND THIS BOOKLET A USEFUL REVIEW IN PREPARING FOR COURTROOM APPEARANCES. (SNI ABSTRACT)