What should witnesses do when faced with overly courteous questioning from defense counsel?

When witnesses are faced with overly courteous questioning from defense counsel, the best course of action is to stay alert. This is important because a defense attorney may employ a friendly demeanor to disarm the witness and make them more agreeable, potentially leading to responses that might not accurately reflect their observations or opinions.

Staying alert allows witnesses to critically evaluate the questions being asked and recognize any attempts to manipulate their answers. It helps witnesses remain focused on the facts of the case and avoid being swayed by charm or misleading questioning. Witnesses should be aware that, regardless of the tone used by the defense counsel, the intent may still be to undermine their credibility or challenge their testimony.

Being vigilant ensures that witnesses maintain their composure and integrity throughout the questioning process, ultimately supporting the reliability of their testimony.