Linguistics in the Courtroom: A Practical Guide

This is a practical guide for both beginning and established linguists who have been asked by lawyers to address the language issues in their civil and criminal cases. Author Roger W. Shuy deals with issues of how to become an expert, how to start and manage a practice of consulting on law cases, how to address the issue of professional ethics, how to work with lawyers, write reports, affidavits, and participate successfully in depositions, direct examination, and cross examination at trial. The book also suggests ways that linguists can use their forensic linguistic experiences in their publications and classroom teaching, along with suggestions of recent books that forensic linguists may need for their personal libraries.

This is a practical guide for both beginning and established linguists who have been asked by lawyers to address the language issues in their civil and criminal cases. Author Roger W. Shuy deals with issues of how to become an expert, how to start and manage a practice of consulting on law cases, how to address the issue of professional ethics, how to work with lawyers, write reports, affidavits, and participate successfully in depositions, direct examination, and cross examination at trial. The book also suggests ways that linguists can use their forensic linguistic experiences in their publications and classroom teaching, along with suggestions of recent books that forensic linguists may need for their personal libraries.

Roger W. Shuy is Distinguished Research Professor of Linguistics, Emeritus, at Georgetown University. He is also president of Roger W. Shuy, Inc. in Missoula, Montana, founded in 1982 and specializing in linguistic services to attorneys in criminal and civil cases.