Making Your Record: Courtroom Guidebook for Attorneys and Law Students

Legal training in most law schools does not include courtroom experience and it provides little, if any, guidance on appropriate courtroom demeanor. Making Your Record is a much needed guidebook that demystifies the practical aspects of courtroom formalities so often neglected in law schools. This 4" x 6" book bridges the gap between the classroom and courtroom by easily fitting into your pocket or briefcase and providing quick answers to procedural questions when you need them. In Making Your Record, Leticia Araujo Perez, a professional courtroom reporter, provides insight into how a courtroom really works and how the attorney’s role can make or break a smooth-running courtroom. The book explains how to ensure the "record" works to your advantage by utilizing proper form. Too often, an ill-prepared attorney will not prevail in court or on appeal because he or she has not accurately provided the proceedings. Knowing how to introduce yourself prior to making any statement in court, how to properly lay a foundation before attempting to introduce evidence, how to successfully query witnesses, and how to make requests of the court staff are all covered in detail. Other chapter topics include basic trial preparation and witness preparation. Making Your Record provides a comprehensive curriculum on courtroom practice that even the most seasoned practitioners will find useful. This book will be of interest to any professional who finds himself or herself in the courtroom on a regular basis, such as court interpreters, expert witnesses, law enforcement, and probation officers. Attorneys would be well advised to provide the book to witnesses as part of trial preparation.