People need to stop with the hot takes on why someone wouldn't testify on their own behalf at trial.
It has nothing to do with guilt and everything to do with the prosecutor having the burden of proof.
Most criminal defense attorneys rarely put a client on the stand.
It has nothing to do with guilt and everything to do with the prosecutor having the burden of proof.
Most criminal defense attorneys rarely put a client on the stand.
People have this idea that the person on trial should tell "their side of the story" but that's not how it works. It's not a "both sides" thing.
The prosecutor always has the burden. The defense doesn't even have to put on a case or cross examine prosecution witnesses.
The prosecutor always has the burden. The defense doesn't even have to put on a case or cross examine prosecution witnesses.
And there are so many things that can go wrong when someone takes the stand that have nothing to do with a person's credibility.
Some people are just not good witnesses - maybe they are not confident, or not likeable, or speak in a way that is confusing.
Some people are just not good witnesses - maybe they are not confident, or not likeable, or speak in a way that is confusing.
None of these things mean they are not telling the truth, but a jury can read them that way.
I get why people are reading Derek Chauvin's decision not to testify the way they are, but they shouldn't.
There are plenty of pieces of evidence that prove Chauvin is guilty.
His decision not to testify isn't one of them.
There are plenty of pieces of evidence that prove Chauvin is guilty.
His decision not to testify isn't one of them.
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