on Cross
THE BOOK
Cross-Examination: Science and Techniques
4th Edition
Larry Pozner has long been recognized as America’s authority on modern cross-examination. Cross-Examination: Science and Techniques, Third Edition is an extensive revision and reorganization of this classic work. For more than 30 years these 3 editions have been America’s all-time bestselling book on cross-examination. The book details the “Chapter Method” of cross-examination, illustrated by a great many examples.
The Chapter Method is now used throughout the US and is taught as the most efficient method of distilling facts into powerful cross-examination stories that capture votes long before closing argument. The detailed chapters on preparation systems, and the many chapters on various impeachment techniques allow layers to become devasting cross-examiners skipping years of learning by trial.
Written in a conversational, engaging, and easy-to-read writing style, the techniques of modern cross-examination are easily mastered and employable in all your cases, in every field of practice.
Pozner's Red Book on Cross: Lessons in Advanced Cross-Examination
This brand-new compact, practical handbook brings together over 20 of Larry Pozner’s most powerful cross-examination training articles, spanning core principles like constructive and asymmetrical cross-examination to advanced strategies for witness control, impeachment, chaptering, and framing reasonable doubt. Every page is practical, tactical, and ready for use in court. This book is not theory—it’s a field manual for lawyers in the fight.
Each lesson delivers scripting examples, real-world case scenarios, and strategic insight to make every technique actionable. You’ll learn when to drop a weak impeachment, avoid the trap of “winning” points that don’t serve your theory, and keep your cross disciplined so it moves the case—not your ego—forward. Pozner shows you when to press a witness, when to pivot, and how to ensure every question drives your theme home. Whether you're cross-examining a hostile eyewitness, dismantling an officer’s version of events, or exposing gaps in the prosecution’s investigation, Pozner's Red Book on Cross delivers the tools, techniques, and strategies you need to win in real courtrooms.
Larry Pozner
Effective cross-examination is a science with established guidelines, identifiable techniques, and definable methods. Attorneys can learn how to control the outcome with careful preparation, calculated strategy, effective skills, and a disciplined demeanor. Pozner and Dodd’s treatise remains the definitive guide to preparing cross-examinations.
Inside you will find the techniques that let you win your case in cross-examination.
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Use opponents’ objections as the springboard for deeper and broader cross-examinations.
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Sequence cross-examination to teach the theory of the case in the best way, and to literally expand the rules of admissibility
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Use “loops” (the practice of incorporating and repeating key phrases and terms in successive questions to the witness) to rename witnesses and exhibits.
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Use “double loops” to discredit opposing expert witnesses.
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Use voir dire to create great jurors
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Use a fact-driven investigation to develop a winning theory
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Use a witness’s own words to follow your theme and theory
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Control the runaway witness
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Communicate winning theories in opening, cross, and closing
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Use loops to box in the witness
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Use tactical sequencing to create the most powerful cross
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Convert a witness’s silence into admission of fact
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Induce the witness to voice your pre-selected words
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Prepare for devastating impeachment
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Close off any escape routes for the witness
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Punish the evasive or “I don’t know” witness
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Control the crying witness
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Use timing, posture, inflection, diction, wording, eye contact, and other effects to emphasize a witness’s concession
Reviews
"This book has been work every penny I paid for it. My cross-exam skill increased dramatically with just a few tweaks using P&D's system. Very simply, if you are a trial lawyer and you are not using P&D, you will be at a great disadvantage at the courthouse against guys like me who know and use P&D. If you are a law student or just out of school, know and use P&D and you will quickly find yourself light years ahead of your peers."
- Amazon review
“Quite simply the greatest book on cross-examination that I have ever come across and worth every penny.”
- Barrister Blogger
"Outstanding. Changed my whole approach to cross-examination. It should be taught in law schools."
- Amazon review
"I found Pozner and Dodd's book the best money I've spent since graduating law school. As a criminal defense practicioner, I live and die with cross. The preparation and presentation skills taught in this book work wonders in the courtroom. The first case I tried after reading this book not only resulted in an acquital based purely upon my cross, but the judge congratulated me later by saying "great cross." Believe me, the price tag is the best money you'll spend."
- Amazon review