About The Course
This three-day program focuses on advanced courtroom communications skills with special focus on child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and elder abuse cases. Participants will acquire basic skills to learn how to testify as an expert witness and overcome apprehension about the cross-examination process.
Sexual assault nurse examiners face many challenges as they work to conduct compassionate and thorough forensic medical evidentiary exams. One of the most difficult challenges they must confront comes not in the exam room, but in the courtroom.
This fact has prompted CCFMTC to develop an advanced courtroom commmunications course that combines classroom instruction and coaching with the opportunity to practice testifying in a courtroom setting. Participants will acquire expert courtroom skills in testifying and handling cross examination questions; will learn to effectively qualify themselves as an expert witness and handle the voir dire process; and will attain hands-on courtroom skills that will further their ability to perform an essential part of their jobs as a forensic examiners.
Course ObjectivesAfter attending this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Mind Mapping:
Learn an organizational tool to assist in casework and expert testimony.
- Communication Skills in the Courtroom:
Learn how to listen to questions, give non-verbal acknowledgment, and to provide succinct, appropriate responses.
- Channeling Nervous Energy:
Learn how to harness and channel nervous energy into a positive presentation.
- Telling the Truth:
Learn the difference between scientific and legal truth. Students will learn the importance of testifying to their perception of truth.
- Circles of Communication:
Learn how to keep the three elements of thoughts, feelings, and behavior in alignment for more effective communication.
- Audience Retention Curve:
Learn methods to keep the jury attentive and focused on your testimony.
- Communication Styles:
Learn how to make your own communications style, as well as those of the jury, work to your benefit.
- Encode/Decode:
Learn how you can help jurors to understand and remember your technical testimony.
- Use of Graphics and Visual Aids:
Learn to enhance your presentation before a jury through visual aides such as overheads, slides, pictures or video.
- Mock Trial:
Acquire expert courtroom skills in testifying and handling cross examination questions; learn to effectively qualify yourself as an expert witness; and attain actual hands-on courtroom skills that will further your ability to perform an essential part of your job as a forensic examiner.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of The Office of Continuing Medical Education at UC Davis Health System and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. The Office of Continuing Medical Education of the UC Davis Health System is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Physician Credit: The Office of Continuing Medical Education of the University of California, Davis, Health System (School of Medicine, Medical Center and Medical Group) designates this educational activity for a maximum of 22.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Physician Assistant: The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are acceptable for continuing medical education requirements for recertification.
Psychologist: This educational activity is recognized by the California Board of Psychology as meeting the continuing education requirements toward license renewal for California psychologist (self reporting required).
Registered Nurse: The California Board of Registered Nursing accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ toward license renewal. On the BRN license renewal form, report the number of hours you attended (up to 22.5 hours of credit) and fill in “CME Category 1” for the provider number.
MFT and LCSW: UC Davis Health System Office of Continuing Medical Education, Provider No. PCE 2354. This course meets the qualifications for 22.5 hours of continuing education credit for marriage and family therapists and/or licensed clinical social workers as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Participants must attend the entire course, write license number on the roster, and complete the course evaluation to earn credit.
Disclosure: Consistent with the UC Davis policy, faculty are expected to disclose 1) any significant financial interests or relationships with manufacturers of commercial products and/or providers of commercial services discussed in their presentations, and 2) any "off-label" uses for pharmaceutical and medical device products discussed in their presentations. The intent of this disclosure is not to prevent speakers with significant financial relationships from making presentations, but rather to provide listeners with information on which they can make their own judgments.
