Courtroom Testimony:  A Practical Skills Workshop for Police and Other Law Enforcement Professionals

Lisa Henderson
former Crown Counsel, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)

Lisa Henderson
former Crown Counsel, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)

Understanding the relationship you have with the Crown is a key element of being fully prepared to testify in court. Failure to recognize the significance of that relationship and the obligations and limitations set upon the Crown can potentially jeopardize the effectiveness of your testimony. In this session, an experienced Crown Attorney will examine the roles of each party in the process.

Detective Sergeant Tara Clark
Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, OPP

What do you need to do to ensure that you are adequately prepared to testify? Gain an in‑depth understanding on what steps to take immediately when you’ve been called to court.

• What are effective police notes and how to review them
• How to best review the evidence (videos, photographs, business documents, witness statements, victim statements and any statements given by the accused)
• Performing a walk through of the investigation and answering all of the important questions:
  • Why did I do what I did?
  • Why did I do it when I did it?
  • What was my authority for doing so?
• Meeting with the Crown prior to the hearing to discuss the case and any potentially problematic issues.

10:45 a.m.
Break

Lisa Henderson
former Crown Counsel, Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario)

Detective Sergeant Tara Clark
Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, OPP

The Hon. Justice Rick Libman
Ontario Court of Justice

Maureen Salama
Brauti Thorning LLP

In this session, you will hear from all parties involved in the process as they discuss best practices in giving evidence during direct examination and on cross‑examination. An experienced Crown Attorney will outline key strategies for providing effective testimony during direct examination. You will also hear from defence counsel as they pull back the curtain to reveal how to best anticipate and handle different types of scenarios you may encounter on cross examination. The session will close with a judge’s perspective on how to maximize the impact of your testimony.

12:30 p.m.
Lunch break (Program ends for those only in the morning sessions)

In this hands‑on, intensive workshop, you will have a valuable opportunity to hone your testimony skills and benefit from personalized feedback from an experienced faculty of judges, Crown Attorneys and defence counsel.
Using a realistic criminal case fact scenario, you will break into small groups and participate in a hearing in which you will give evidence in direct examination and on cross‑examination. Instructors will provide you with feedback on a variety of topics, including:

• Effective communication techniques (word choice, composure, body language, etc.)
• Bad habits and how to avoid them
• Dealing with different types of defence counsel

You will leave with practical tips and strategies you can apply with confidence the next time you are required to testify in court.

NOTE: There will be a 15 minute break during this session.

4:45 p.m.
Program ends