What not to do when testifying

Required

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.
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
You should NEVER commit perjury while testifying. Perjury is knowingly telling a lie under oath
about something that is important to the case.
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.
[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.
BOOK TITLE – CRIMINAL EVIDENCE Seventh Edition Author: Norman M. Garland