You will prepare a What Not to Do When Testifying list. As you read Chapter 15 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. 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.