Direct Examination(Presenting an Effective, Compelling, and Persuasive Direct Examination)

Direct Examination is one of the more challenging areas for Defense lawyers to do properly. A Big part of that stems from the fact that we do it very often. Because we do it so often we end up copying Prosecutors who are not good at Direct Examination. In this program we will discuss how to present a compelling, effective, and dynamic cross examination. You will learn different formats for structuring your direct examination as well as ways in which to make it more interesting for your juries.

Andre Vitale (Jersey City, NJ). Andre has served as a public defense lawyer for over 25 years as a trial lawyer, training director, educator, and mentor. He currently works as the First Assistant Deputy Public Defender with the Essex Trial Region of the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender. Andre previously served as a Special Assistant Public Defender and Training Director with the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office (Rochester, NY) and as the Assistant Training Director with the King County Department of Public Defense (Seattle, WA). Andre has extensive trial experience taking more than 100 cases to verdict, while handling some of the most complex matters. He has developed an expertise in defending homicide and sex cases, with a proficiency in contesting forensic and other technical evidence, including DNA, fingerprints, CSAAS, and eyewitness identification. Andre authored an article: Fighting Racial Prejudice through Suppression Litigation, which was published in July 2021 edition of the CHAMPION magazine, for the National Association for Criminal Defense’s (NACDL). Andre designed a Defending a Child Sex Case advanced trial skills program, which has been used by Public Defender Offices in Montana, Missouri, New York, and New Jersey. He is a core faculty member with Gideon’s Promise (gideonspromise.org), Harvard Law School’s Criminal Justice Institute Trial Advocacy Workshop (TAW), the Alternate Defense Counsel Trial Skills Program in Denver, Colorado, as well as the Defender’s Academy with the Bronx Defenders. Andre is a frequent presenter for the National Association of Public Defense (publicdefenders.us). Due to his passion and commitment to client–centered representation, Andre has received the Kevin Andersen Award by the New York State Defender’s Association (NYSDA) and the Denison Ray Award by the New York State Bar Association