Ben, 5, From the Journal of Atticus Finch: 12 Tricks of the Trade

   The Maycomb Tribune

    Thursday, October 10th, 1935

          By Ben Wintraub and Braxton Underwood

From the Journal of Atticus Finch: 12 Tricks of the Trade

1. Don’t bear grudges about what happens in a trial.

“You will not touch him,’ Atticus said flatly. ‘I don’t want either of you bearing a grudge about this

thing, no matter what happens.” pg. 179

2. Pay attention to the small details, especially if there are discrepancies between the witnesses.

“Wait a minute, Sheriff,’ said Atticus. ‘Was it her left facing you or her left looking the same way as you were?” pg. 192

3. Never raise your voice in court. 

“I never heard Atticus raise his voice in my life, except to a deaf witness.” pg. 195

4. Be amiable and make the witness feel comfortable. This will lull the witness into a false sense of security.

“Just a minute, sir’ said Atticus genially. “Could I ask you a question or two?” pg. 199

“It was becoming evident that he [Mr. Ewell] thought Atticus was an easy match.” pg. 200

5. Ask a question more than once and see how the answers differ.

“...I’m getting along and I can’t remember things as well as I used to. I might ask you things you’ve

already said before, but you’ll give me an answer, won’t you? pg. 206

6. Be polite. 

“We’ve done business in this court for years and years, and Mr. Finch is always courteous to everybody.” pg. 207

7. Get context and paint a picture using the evidence you have

“...Atticus was quietly building up before the jury a picture of the Ewells’ home life.” pg. 208

8. Try to empathize with the witness

“Except when he’s drinking?’ asked Atticus so gently that Mayella nodded.” pg. 209

9. Watch the witness closely for reactions.

“He did not see her involuntary jump, but it seemed to me that he knew she had moved.” 

pg. 209

10. If the witness provides two contradicting answers or stops answering, ask questions aggressively to make the witness reveal more information. 

“Atticus’s memory had suddenly become accurate. ‘you say ‘he caught me and choked me and took

advantage of me’ -- is that right?” pg. 210

11. Ask rhetorical questions not meant to be answered by the witness intended to make the jury think.

“Who beat you up? Tom Robinson or your father?’ No answer.” pg. 213

12. Make your closing argument powerful and relate the Jury’s lives outside of court to the law. 

“We know all men are not created equal in the sense some people would have us believe -- some

people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity...But there is one way in this

country in which all men are created equal -- there is one human institution that makes a pauper

the equal of a Rockerfeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein...A court is only as sound as its

jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up. I am confident that you gentlemen will

review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendan

to his family. In the name of God, do your duty.” pg. 233

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