List: Testifying Don'ts
For the Unit VIII Assignment, you will prepare a What NOT to Do When Testifying list. As you read Chapter 15 in the textbook, take notes on what a professional law enforcement officer (PLEO) should NOT do when testifying or preparing to testify in a criminal case and why.
Your list should contain a minimum of 21 items that a PLEO should not do.
The first item on your list will be that the PLEO should NEVER commit perjury while testifying. Perjury is knowingly telling a lie under oath about something that is important to the case. BCJ 3801, Criminal Evidence and Legal Issues 7
As you read through Chapter 15, look for 20 more actions/behaviors that the PLEO should avoid. Prepare a document with the title: What NOT to Do When Testifying. Item #1 has been provided for you. After each item, provide a brief statement with your rationale for including the item. Use a format similar to the one shown below:
What NOT to Do When Testifying
1. You should NEVER commit perjury while testifying. Perjury is knowingly telling a lie under oath about something that is important to the case.
a. If a PLEO commits perjury while testifying, the officer may lose his or her job, he or she may face imprisonment and a fine, the defendant may be acquitted, and it reflects negatively on the professionalism and integrity of law enforcement.
2. [Continue with the next item.]
Use the following checklist to ensure that you have addressed all of the requirements for this assignment. The checklist will also be used by your instructor to evaluate your submission.
- The list contains 21 items.
- Each item is followed by a brief statement giving the rationale for the item.
- Your document follows the format provided in the example.
- Your document is reflective of the written communication skills required of a college student in that it is accurate, concise, and professional in appearance with proper spelling and grammar.
NOTE: The goal is to create an understandable, easy-to-follow list of behaviors and actions to avoid, while testifying to maintain the professional image of you and your organization, as well as the integrity of law enforcement.
Your list should be at least two pages. Be sure to cite, in APA format, any source used to influence your response. Therefore, your reference list should include a citation of the textbook, as you are required to apply the concepts discussed in the textbook to the scenario.