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Book: Relentless Criminal Cross-Examination

 Relentless Criminal Cross-Examination is the culmination of Attorney Kevin J. Mahoney’s 20 years of trial experience. In the courts of Massachusetts, he is regarded as an aggressive, extremely well-prepared, and street smart cross-examiner. His trial record speaks for itself, having won 45 of his last 48 trials. Relentless Criminal Cross-Examination is the fastest selling book in the history of James Publishing Company – a respected, well-established publisher of law books for 27 years.

Aside from its excerpts of cross-examination, the book offers extremely valuable wisdom regarding overarching trial strategies (e.g., defense counsel demeanor; tone, tenor, and timing; why you should not call defense witnesses; etc.) The wisdom offered is alone extremely valuable.

~Amazon.com Review

Whether the witness is an alleged victim, a police officer, or a forensic expert, every cross-examination is a power struggle and battle of wits between the lawyer and the witness. With insights into witness psychology and a focus on juror impressions, Mahoney teaches criminal defense lawyers how to incorporate proven techniques into every cross-examination. But, it’s more than a simple “how to” book, Mahoney helps lawyers develop the killer mindset of a successful cross-examiner while never losing sight of the goal: persuading the jury.

Indeed, cross-examination is arguably the essential, if not sole, purpose of a criminal trial. Opening statements, the importance of which so many lawyers underestimate, is the foundation of effective cross-examination. The opening is where the criminal defense lawyer not only provides the jury with the defense’s version of the facts, but details how he will cross-examine prosecution witnesses. If the trial lawyer wastes the invaluable opportunity afforded by the opening, leaves critical “facts” unchallenged, neglects to cite examples of the witness’s duplicity, and fails to tell the jury how he will cross-examine the witnesses, it’s unlikely the jury will grasp the significance of otherwise effective cross-examination.

“A passionate, moving closing argument will never resurrect a lost trial. If there is such a thing as a great closing argument following a succession of failed cross-examinations, it is unlikely to persuade jurors to distrust a witness who survived unscathed a weak cross-examination. Counting on defense witnesses to win the day is a precarious strategy at best. Experienced trial lawyers will concede that there is no more painful experience than watching a promising defense witness implode on the stand.”

~Kevin J. Mahoney, Relentless Criminal Cross-Examination

On television and in the movies, the lawyer who gives the most riveting closing argument wins the trial. That, of course, is total nonsense. If the criminal defense attorney hasn’t won his trial before the closing argument, his client is likely doomed. If the lawyer fails to discredit pivotal prosecution witnesses during cross-examination, what could he now say to persuade these jurors that the witnesses should be disbelieved? If the jurors believed a witness was truthful – particularly after an unimpressive cross – no amount of eloquence or finely crafted arguments will change the jurors’ minds. Closing argument is where the defense attorney shoots the dead – and these witnesses are dead because counsel killed the bastards with his cross-examination.

The book not only covers the general principles of effective cross-examination, it provides sample cross-examinations from trials, hearings on motions to suppress and probable cause hearings, including sample cross-examinations of:

  • officer who administered field sobriety test
  • detective who coerced confession
  • accident reconstructionist
  • eyewitnesses
  • informants
  • state chemists
  • medical examiners
  • fingerprint experts

“It is effective cross-examination that exposes the shoddy, predetermined nature of a police investigation, the “expert’s” reliance on flawed and vulnerable forensic techniques, and the witness’s lack of candor. It is a skill absolutely indispensable to the trial lawyer. Absent good, thorough cross-examination conviction is all but inevitable. Only by proper exercise of the opportunity guaranteed by the 6th Amendment can defense counsel even a process that is slanted in favor of the prosecution.”

~Kevin J. Mahoney, Relentless Criminal Cross-Examination

There is no other book on cross-examination that teaches a defense lawyer how to fit cross-examination within the overall trial strategy and still make cross-examination the centerpiece of that strategy.

Kevin J. Mahoney is a Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer, on-air legal analyst, and published author. If you have been accused of a crime, contact us at 617-492-0055 or use our online contact form to schedule a free in-office consultation.

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Testimonials

  • NS, a DUI client,about 1 month ago

    Attorney Mahoney,

    I just wanted to say thank you for such a wonderful and excellent job you did for me. You were quite impressive up there and you really did your homework catching her in a few lies from previous testimony. You are the best! Even though I never want to be in this situation again, if I know anyone I will give them your name.

    Thank Amy for me too! She is a great asset to have in your office! Very pleasant and understanding.

    Again thank you and go Celtics!
     

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  • about 1 month ago

    Kevin Mahoney recently represented me in a case for destruction of property and disorderly conduct. He was extremely thorough and persistent, and despite a great deal of evidence against me, he managed to get the felony charge dropped without having to go to trial.

    I had never been in legal trouble before and had no idea how to proceed, and without his counsel, I am sure that I would have gotten convicted.

    He listened to my specific needs and always acted in my best interest. His knowledge, attention to detail, and general courtroom presence continued to amaze me throughout the entire process.
     

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  • M.K.about 1 month ago

    Dear Attorney Mahoney:

    I wish to express my sincere appreciation for your efforts on my behalf. Your defense was truly outstanding. The court room skills that you demonstrated and legal knowledge were truly incomparable. I’m wishing you the very best in your future endeavors.

    In addition, I ‘m looking forward to viewing the Jello Trial on Court T.V. Let me thank you once again.

     

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  • about 1 month ago

    Attorney Mahoney,

    Is very knowledgeable and very professional. He has just represented me in a case lasting a year and a half, and he made sure I got a fair trial with a fair jury. He kept me well informed about what would be happening in the court room and always had a well thought out defense for any route of attack the D.A. would be planning on.

    My trial took 2 and a half days and after the jury deliberated for approximately 23 minutes they came back with a “Not guilty” verdict. I would recommend Attorney Mahoney to anyone I know, but I sure hope I dont need him again. : ) .
     

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Kevin J. Mahoney’s New Book Coming Soon

The Title IX Sexual Harassment Handbook

"Attorney Mahoney is currently authoring an authoritative and strategy driven compendium on investigating and defending Title IX sexual assault cases for lawyers, students, and universities. The book will be available through James Publishing within months."

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