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Nobody really wants to be sitting in a courtroom with the possible exception of those whose careers revolve around a court of law. If you find yourself needing to go to court and be a witness, the good news is that preparation can help you establish yourself as credible without coming out and declaring what an honest, trustworthy person you are. Here are some essential ways that you can convince the jury that you are telling the truth and deserving of respect as a strong witness.

Keep in Mind That Talk Is Expensive

They may say that talk is cheap in everyday life, but talk can be very expensive in a court of law. What you say and how you speak are of the utmost importance. It's very important to speak clearly. Keep the following things in mind before opening your mouth:

• Take a moment to think before you answer a question. That doesn't mean that you are hesitating to tell the truth, and that will come across. You do need to reflect before you speak to make sure that what you are saying is true and not unjustly accusatory. Even if you are angry, take a moment to reflect, and never answer a rude person in the heat of the moment when you are giving testimony.
• Keep your voice in the low register. There's never any need to shriek or shout in court. In fact, yelling can only hurt you and damage the impression that the judge and jury will have.
• Stick to the facts. Don't try to be charming or funny. Humor likely won't come across, and it may offend some people depending on the seriousness of your case.

Establish Your Reliability

While there may be some first impressions and initial judgments made about you for a variety of unfair reasons, one undeniable way to make a good impression in the courtroom is to establish your positive history. Be sure to establish how long you have lived in a single location or specific town if you have been in one place for an extended amount of time. Likewise, discuss steady jobs or particularly long lengths of employment that you have had. Also, if you do not have a criminal record, be sure to point out a record that's free of felonies, misdemeanors, and other mischief.

Finally, remind yourself that you need to speak with conviction in a courtroom. The judge and jury both want to be reasonably assured that you aren't hiding big secrets or trying to manipulate them. Following these tips will help you stay in your power and best showcase the truth that you have to tell. Talk with a lawyer, like CHARLES P. ERICKSON, ESQ., for more help.