SDO 544 ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY ASSIGNMENT
Chelsea Jackson
Module 4
SDO 544
Sept 9, 22
Methods of Impeachment
The saying that there are four basic methods of impeachment all have to relate to the
witness as a whole, but split up the different aspects of what the witness provides during a trial.
When looking at the narrative capacity of the witness, it’s important to look at the statements
provided and see if there are any inconsistencies. The method of attacking the witness’s narrative
capacity can be beneficial to show if the witness knows the actual facts of the case. For example,
if during the trial, the witness claims that a car during a hit and run was red, when in fact it was
actually blue, this witness can be impeached, since they have the facts wrong.
Another method is looking at the capabilities of the witness, and whether or not they are
able to be aware of their surroundings. When attacking the witness’s perception, it is important
to see if they can see or hear clearly, while also being able to see and be aware of what is going
on around them. An example, since I know an individual that is color blind and they don’t see
colors properly, they could claim they see blue, but since they’re color blind, it could actually be
a different color. Also, if during trial, the witness was on the stand and said that they heard
screaming coming from the left, but they are deaf in their right ear, it’s hard to tell where the
screams actually are coming from.
Method three, being attacking the witness’s memory, can be important because we want
to see how well the witness can remember important details. When a witness is being questioned,
they should be able to know what events took place, and when those events took place. An
example is when a witness is being questioned and they ask what they had for dinner the night
before, but if they can’t remember, they may not be able to give a correct timeline of events on
the day being questioned.
The final method of attacking the sincerity of the witness is important for when the
testimony is being given. It’s important to see if the individual is going to already have their
mind made up beforehand because if they have any biases or are already told what to say, they
won’t be a credible witness. Looking at the relationships the witness has and the way others feel
about the witness can help with the sincerity of the witness.
You Need a Professional Writer To Work On Your Paper?
