Mastering Court Testimony: Tips for Anxious Witnesses
Are you about to be going to court to litigate a case and you’re nervous about taking the stand? I’m Tulsa criminal lawyer Carl Birkhead with Wirth Law Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ve been practicing family and criminal law for a little over 7 years now and I want to help you make law easy by talking about what to do when you’re in court, especially if you’re about to be giving testimony.
Preparing for Testimony
Testifying in court can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced attorneys. It’s completely natural to feel anxious, but the key to handling testimony effectively is to approach it as a conversation rather than an interrogation—especially when responding to your own lawyer’s questions. Your focus should remain on your attorney, not the judge, the opposing party, or their counsel. By maintaining that connection, you can deliver clear and confident responses without becoming distracted or overwhelmed.
If a question is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. Saying, “I don’t understand—can you rephrase that?” is perfectly acceptable. Likewise, if your attorney is speaking too quickly, ask them to slow down. Your testimony should be as clear and accurate as possible, and your lawyer is there to help facilitate that.
Honesty and Trust in the Courtroom
Additionally, it’s okay not to have all the answers. If you’re unsure how to respond to a question, simply state that you’re uncertain rather than guessing. This honesty ensures your testimony remains credible and prevents you from inadvertently misstating something.
Most importantly, trust your attorney’s guidance. They have trained extensively for these situations and will step in to redirect or rephrase if your testimony isn’t coming across as intended. Your lawyer’s goal is to help you present your side effectively, so communicate openly, stay focused, and trust the process.
Schedule a Strategy Session Today
If you have questions about this or if you have a case coming up and you feel like you need some help getting prepared for it and you need an attorney with experience in how to get to help you through testimony, give us a call. I’m Tulsa defense attorney Carl Birkhead with Wirth Law Office, and I want to help you make law easy. Call us at 918-879-1681 to schedule a low-cost initial strategy session.
