Based on your experience is it a good idea to have a client testify at his or her DUI Trial.

It will depend on my client and what is there reason for testifying. There are many times a client needs to testify to build the defense and their testimony is the only way to do this. Other times it would not be a good idea to have a client testify. However it is the clients right to testify and if they decide to testify they have a right to do that. All an attorney can do is advise them if it is a good idea or not. Robert Driessen

I don't have a blanket policy on having a client testify at trial. Factors to be considered include whether the client has a prior record; the strength of the Comnonwealths case; whether there are other witnesses who can testify to facts supporting the defendants case. Sometimes I don't make a decision until after the Commonwealth has rested their case.

It depends on the credibility of the witness. For example if the witness is a like a nun, that might not be a bad idea. However, if the witness has a prior record for theft or something else that deals with dishonesty, I would avoid putting him/her on the stand. Attorney Michael Kotik, Esq. Two Penn Center (Philadelphia) 1500 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 220 Philadelphia, PA 19102 www.LegalPhilly.com (267) 265-4553 (Phone) [email protected] (Email)