Goldberg's the First Trial (Where Do I Sit? What Do I Say?) in a Nutshell (Nutshell Series) (In a Nutshell (West Publishing)) [Paperback]

Steven H. Goldberg (Author), Goldberg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0314655883 | ISBN-13: 978-0314655882 | Publication Date: January 1982 | Edition: 1

Perspective: Trial Is Theater; Lawyer's Part; Interrogating of Witnesses; Presenting Exhibits; Staging the Use of a Diagram; Addressing the Jury; Courtroom Stage Presence; Preparation: Trial Notebooks; Closing Arguments; Jury Instructions; Opening Statements; Witnesses; Jurors; First Trial: Voir Dire; Opening Statement; Direct Examination; Cross-Examination; Impeachment and Rehabilitation; Evidence Advocacy; Closing Argument.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Professor of Law, Pace University School of Law

Product Details

• Paperback: 396 pages
• Publisher: West Publishing Company; 1 edition (January 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0314655883
• ISBN-13: 978-0314655882
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,055,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Unclear, irrelevant and sometimes inaccurate., June 16, 2007

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The Dilettante "Dilly!" - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Goldberg's the First Trial (Where Do I Sit? What Do I Say?) in a Nutshell (Nutshell Series) (In a Nutshell (West Publishing)) (Paperback)

The diagrams are unclear, the advice is irrelevant, and the information is sometimes inaccurate. Specifically, to answer the question: 'where do I sit,' Goldberg tells the reader that the first person into the courtroom picks whichever counsel table he or she wants. This is, in my jurisdiction, just flat wrong (civil = D sits closest to jury box, criminal = prosecutor does). The first time advocate who follows this advice could embarrass herself and start trial no. 1 off on the wrong foot. Goldberg answers the second question: 'what do I say' with a couple of hundred pages of vague bromides like 'the trial lawyer is an actor' 'the courtroom is a theater' and 'the trial is a movie.' I don't find these particularly useful. For those with more questions, the authors suggests that the lawyer 'check with the court for how things are done locally.' Thanks for that, but I want my $25.00 back.

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect gift for a baby lawyer, December 25, 2011

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Old Guy "Northern chef" (Anchorage, AK) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Goldberg's the First Trial (Where Do I Sit? What Do I Say?) in a Nutshell (Nutshell Series) (In a Nutshell (West Publishing)) (Paperback)

I owned and read this Nutshell when I first started out at the DA's Office. It was a great training manual. Many of my colleagues read my copy as well.

I purchased this copy for a young friend, who is just starting at the DA's Office.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Non Factual, February 6, 2005

By 

Bee "Tronic" (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Goldberg's the First Trial (Where Do I Sit? What Do I Say?) in a Nutshell (Nutshell Series) (In a Nutshell (West Publishing)) (Paperback)

The First Trial is a very good book. The only fault is it does not belong in the Nut Shell Series. There are no case examples. It makes you think of how it would be if you didn't think of that before trial and is full of merit towards thinking outside the lawyer. You just never know if it works or not. It's self centered on the first trial of the lay person, Where Do I Sit? It would make a better audio book/ non-fiction, not a Law ref.