Cross-Examination Insights for Success

Understanding Cross-Examination: A Guide for Witnesses

Hi, my name is Aaron Grubb. I’m a Tahlequah criminal defense attorney at Wirth Law Office, and in this video, we’re going to talk about how to answer cross-examination questions in court.

This topic came up recently in one of my cases. I was questioning the opposing party on the stand, and they began giving too much information in their answers. Because they opened the door to a new line of questioning, I was able to pursue that topic—even though it would’ve otherwise been outside the scope of the initial direct examination. This helped us expose some key issues.

So in this video, I want to give you a few basic guidelines for testifying during cross-examination:

Key Guidelines for Cross-Examination

1. Understand What Cross-Examination Is

Cross-examination happens after your own attorney has finished asking you questions (direct examination). The opposing attorney now gets to ask pointed, often leading questions—usually seeking yes or no answers.

2. Keep Your Answers Brief

The opposing attorney is trying to control the narrative. That’s why it’s so important to answer only what is asked. If it’s a yes-or-no question, say “yes” or “no.” Don’t volunteer extra information—even if you feel the urge to defend yourself or explain further.

3. Don’t Worry About Clarifying Everything

If a question feels misleading or paints you in a negative light, stay calm. It’s your attorney’s job to handle that during redirect examination. They will have a chance to clarify or clean up any misleading impressions created during cross-ex.

Reach Out for Support

If you have questions about cross-examination or if you have a family law or criminal case coming up, please contact Tahlequah family law attorney Aaron Grubb at Wirth Law Office. We’re here to help.