Consulting has on staff some of the most experienced attorneys in the area of child sexual abuse cases. We have consistently seen how motion practice is essential to a proactive defense. We are particularly experts in the very specific areas of Brady motions, Frye or Daulbert motions, discovery motions, and appropriate motions in limine.
How will Nichols Consulting help me with the formulation of a pretrial strategy?
In child sexual abuse cases a proper pretrial strategy should be designed to eliminate or reduce: [1] The amount of “expert” testimony the state gets in; [2] The amount of hearsay “exception” evidence that the state gets in; and [3] Prejudicial evidence against the defendant.
Nichols Consulting hits the ground running in the formulations of effective pretrial strategies to accomplish these goals.
How will Nichols Consulting help in the cross-examination of adverse experts and factual witnesses?
Edward Nichols, and the consulting firm he founded, are nationally known for their ability to assist counsel in holding an adverse expert’s “feet to the fire” with the use of current, state-of-the-art, scientific research.
The plain truth is that science is on the side of the falsely accused. Equally true is that defense counsel typically does not have the hard-science at his disposal, and most experts he employs do not either.
Moreover, traditional defense strategies often result in the calling of a defense expert to counter the state’s expert. In effect, many defense attorneys choose, for lack of another alternative, to fight “junk science” with more “junk science”. The result: Juries view the state’s expert as a “champion of children’s causes” and the defense expert as a “hired gun”.
The most dramatic and effective alternative is to turn the state’s expert into your expert with the use of current scientific research and other materials provided to you by Nichols Consulting. This also saves the cost of a testifying defense expert.
Nichols Consulting is also able to assist with factual witnesses especially “factual” witnesses that are brought under hearsay exceptions that are typical in these cases.
How will Nichols Consulting assist in the cross-examination of alleged victims?
We are told that defense attorneys have nightmares about cross-examining children in alleged sex abuse cases. Moreover, where multiple victims are alleged, defense attorneys lose much sleep.
With the assistance of Nichols Consulting you will be prepared for this critical part of the trial. Clearly, the cross-examination of children takes on a totally different psychosocial dynamic than the typical cross of an adult complaining witness.
Nichols Consulting will lead you, step-by-step, through the cross providing questions and followups that fit into the defense theory of the case and trial strategies.
If I should need an expert or rebuttal witness, will Nichols Consulting help me?
Yes. Often attorneys will call us seeking an expert witness. As previously mentioned, defense experts are often not needed when the case is properly prepared, however, there are a number of situations in which bringing a defense expert is appropriate. This is often true when the state has opened a door that the defense wishes to rebut, or often a well prepared defense will include having a defense expert prepared and available in case the cross of the state’s expert does not go as planned.
While Nichols Consulting has worked with experts of national reputation, often a local expert is more appropriate. In such cases Nichols Consulting will locate and prep a local expert to provide a science-based presentation one which is very difficult to cross.
Is Edward Nichols available to provide expert testimony?
Edward Nichols has retired from the provision of expert testimony and dedicates his full time efforts to expert consultation. However, in the rare case that Nichols Consulting is unable to provide you with an efficient and appropriate expert for your case, Edward Nichols may consider providing expert testimony. Similarly, he will consider providing expert testimony in a case that holds a promise of creating significant caselaw.
How will Nichols Consulting help me with defense factual witnesses?
In false allegations cases the psychosocial dynamics are essential. Ignore them at your client’s peril!
Our national research indicates that juries astutely pick up on body language, dress, choice of words, presentation styles, and a host of psychosocial factors.
These factors are no secret to departments of social services and social workers who have been “preparing” the state’s witnesses for years. They are trained to “prepare” witnesses.
Nichols Consulting will assist you so that you are playing on a level field!
How will Nichols Consulting help me with research?
Our legal and mental health professionals are authorities on the current legal and psychosocial developments that impact on false allegations. Employing Nichols Consulting puts these data at your fingertips!
How does Nichols Consulting assist in the preparation of opening and closing statements?
Our national experience has taught us two important lessons: Child sexual abuse defenses must be proactive in every respect; and the entire trial from opening to closing statements must hold together with both internal and external consistency.
Nichols Consulting will assist you in orchestrating all of these dynamics within the context of your opening and closing statements. We will learn your style and preferences and structure the content and essential dynamics into your style. We understand the psychosocial dynamics that are often critical to the child sexual abuse defense.
How will Nichols Consulting help with jury selection?
The strategies for the selection of an appropriate jury in a child sexual abuse case are unique. The general public has been falsely “educated” by the social work profession regarding the subject of child sexual abuse. Nichols Consulting has the social work expertise to detect such “education”, or other life experiences, that should disqualify a juror.
The proper selection of a jury often means the difference between a conviction or hung jury, and most often, between a hung jury and an acquittal. Nichols Consulting can give you this advantage!
What if I’m on a limited budget and only want a limited amount of services?
Our service delivery protocols are designed to provide you with the services you want in a timely and efficient manner, within a reasonable budget. Most often we are able to meet these objectives.
How do I get Nichols Consulting to help?
Give us a call at [607] 5638707. We maintain normal business hours [Eastern Time]. When you call you will speak to Edward Nichols as soon as possible. He will assess your needs and answer any questions you may have. This is a gratis consultation.
FAQ’s For The Accused
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