Course detail: Trial Preparation, Testimony, and Prosecution Strategy

Course Description 

Testifying successfully as a witness requires that personnel know how to communicate information to the court and to juries in response to open-ended and closed-ended questions in a way that is precise, objective, and credible. Students will learn how to prepare themselves and their cases to give testimony in a hearing or at trial. Students will also learn through hands-on exercises and role-playing strategies they can use to communicate in a clear and compelling way while testifying. 

Competencies:

Participants will introduce public safety officers and other agency personnel to the information and skills necessary to testify effectively at depositions, court hearings, and trials. 



Course Objectives: 

  • Describe and discuss the role of the witness and the different types of witnesses
  • List the various ways a witness can prepare before giving testimony in a case 
  • Using precise language, respond effectively to open-ended and closed-ended questions
  • Describe the importance of dress, demeanor, and body language when testifying 
  • Identify ways in which the witness's credibility and objectivity can be threatened 
  • Recognize and avoid objectionable testimony including hearsay, speculation, and testimony that lacks foundation 


 Instructional Methods 

  • Lecture and guided discussions 
  • Role-playing exercises 


 Who Should Attend 

  • Sworn and paid public safety officers, volunteer law enforcement auxiliary members, and agency support personnel such as records custodians and evidence technicians

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend University of Kansas sponsored events. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in an event, please email KLETC or call 620.694.1400 at least three weeks before the first day of the event. Some events may require notice earlier than three weeks and require you contact a specific individual; if so, that information is provided in the event-specific information.

Notice of Availability of the KLETC Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

The University of Kansas has determined that the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) main campus in Hutchinson and its regional sites in Dodge City, Hays, and Parsons are separate campuses. This determination was made in consultation with the Department of Education. The report is available online t: https://civilrights.ku.edu/clery.

The report contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking; the procedures the institution will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred On-Campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Non-Campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the institution or a recognized student organization; and on Public Property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

 A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request. If you would like to receive a paper copy, you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling 785-864-6414 or emailing civilrights@ku.edu or arrange for pick-up at a KLETC location.


Available sessions

This course contains no sessions
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