Never ask a question in court if an answer is not prepared

Why Lawyers should never ask a witness a question if they aren't prepared for the answer.....

In a trial, a small town prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand. The witness was grand motherly, elderly woman.

He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"

She responded, "Why, yes I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a young boy and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you".

The Lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, Do you know the defence attorney?"

She again replied, "Why yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three women, one of them was your wife. Yes, I know him." The defense attorney almost died.

The judge asked both counsellors to approach the bench, and in a very quiet voice, said, "If either of you bastards asks her if she knows me, I'll throw you in jail for contempt.