SOC 471 Testifying in Court

Working in the helping professions often requires professionals to appear in court and testify in a case. The testimony of a helping professional is essential in helping judges make informed decisions on behalf of children, families, and anyone who comes before their courts. Therefore, it is crucial that helping professionals learn to establish their credibility, recognize leading questions, and how to answer questions succinctly. This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of preparing for and testifying in the court system. Students will develop skills to prepare for their courtroom experience such as organizing and collecting data, preparing and distributing records, reviewing case notes and summaries, responding appropriately to legal questions, and courtroom etiquette.