Trial Techniques (U.S. Edition) [Paperback]

Thomas A. Mauet (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0316550612 | ISBN-13: 978-0316550611 | Publication Date: March 1996 | Edition: 4th

Newly revised, this leading book in the field shows how to prepare for a jury trial and reviews the thought processes of a lawyer before and during each aspect of a trial. Structured to follow the stages of a trial, Trial Techniques continues to deliver practical advice and abundant examples of the courtroom skills needed to present evidence and arguments persuasively. This comprehensive yet concise handbook covers all aspects of the trial process, providing the perfect source for your elective course.

This long-time leading course book is an invaluable source for prospective trial lawyers, presenting: a best-selling author renowned for his skills both as a writer and litigator, a clear, engaging writing style that breaks the trial process down into its critical components for more thorough and efficient comprehension excellent examples illustrating strategies for opening statements, jury selection, direct- and cross-examination, exhibits, objections, and more an appendix containing the Federal Rules of Evidence for easy reference.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 500 pages
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co Law & Business; 4th edition (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316550612
• ISBN-13: 978-0316550611
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #954,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A classic, but there are better books on trial techniques out there, November 20, 2007

By 

Atom (Severna Park, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trial Techniques, 7e (Paperback)

Mauet's book has been around for a long time and it's beginning to show its age. The new edition sticks with the same format and doesn't add much new material. It offers solid advice that hardly anyone would disagree with, but in fact that's one of its flaws: it just doesn't push the envelope. For example, it tries to teach trial skills by looking only at hypothetical situations and fictional characters. Why use fiction when real life is so much more interesting and instructive? Why not use real court cases and learn from the mistakes and successes of lawyers we all know about?

My favorite trial techniques book right now is Winning at Trial, written by a current US Attorney (D. Shane Read). The author not only knows what he's talking about (you get the same solid advice as with Mauet), but the book also comes with two DVDs with over 4 hours of video from televised trials (including the O.J. trial), as well as numerous transcripts from actual trials. For students, your professor is probably going to stick with whatever text they're currently using, but I would recommend Read's book as a complement to give you a better idea of what really good (and not so good) trial attorneys do in actual trials.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic, April 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Trial Techniques (Coursebook) (Paperback)

Mauet's Trial Technique is the classic textbook for trial courses in law schools around the country. It works just as well as a reference book for trial. It takes one through every step of trial, assuming the reader knows nothing about procedure. For example, not only does it teach how to lay a foundation for an exhibit with a witness, it tells you who to give the exhibit to to have it marked (the court clerk). This is not for advanced trial lawyers but is a good textbook for beginners and a solid reference for lawyers who only occassionally go to trial.

15 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE DEFINITIVE BOOK ON TRIAL TECHNIQUES...., July 11, 2001

By 

Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Trial Techniques (Coursebook) (Paperback)

This reference book tells you everything that you wanted to know about trials, but were afraid to ask. It is an excellent reference work for law students or inexperienced trial lawyers who want to grasp the fundamentals of trial techniques, so as to at least look and sound as if they know what they are doing. It is a comprehensive work that covers methodology, as well as trial strategy.

The book gives the reader instructive examples on ways of accomplishing a specific task, which, while not dispositive, are invaluable to the inexperienced. It gives the novice a starting point from which one may develop his or her own particular style. The book offers basic trial techniques without which no novice trial lawyer should be. It is your basic primer on trial work with the emphasis on jury trials. It is well organized and easy to follow. If you only have room for one trial techniques book on your shelf, this should be the one.