The May 2014 issue of THE CHAMPION magazine of the National Association Of Criminal Defense Lawyers has an interesting article on sex offender rights on parole.   Good, practical advice.

  The same issue contains a thoughtful article entitled “10 Reasons For Cross-Examination.”  Before listing his 10 reasons to cross, the author poses three threshold questions:

1.       What is the specific purpose of this particular cross-examination?

2.       How does that specific purpose affect how I cross-examine this witness?

3.       What exact tools —  including trial technology – do I need for this particular cross-examination?

The author then suggests 10 in-depth reasons for cross and analyzes their  effective use:

·         To obtain positive testimony,  building  an affirmative defense.

·         To show the witness is mistaken

·         To suggest motive

·          To show bias

·         To suggest the witness is incompetent or unqualified

·         To expose the witness as playing games with the jury

·         To show the witness is “a jerk”

·         To show the witness is inconsistent

·         To underscore an important point

·         To show the witness is a liar

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 The July 2014 ARMY LAWYER contains a strong criticism of Congress’ gutting Article 60, UCMJ.  That ended much convening authority discretion in approving court-martial findings and sentence.  A full text of the pertinent new section, plus a useful flow chart, accompanies.