6 Prompts to Have AI Draft Direct Examination Questions

It is not easy to ask the right questions in court. A poorly crafted question might confuse a witness or weaken a case. Lawyers spend decades refining their skills, but even seasoned professionals can get stuck on writing clear and effective direct examination questions.

Given the right input, AI can generate structured and accurate questions that guide witnesses without leading them. By learning about prompt engineering in Gen AI systems, lawyers can craft better prompts to create the most helpful responses.

For example, by using prompts to get AI to write direct examination questions, a lawyer can quickly produce a list of open-ended questions that are specifically designed for a particular witness.

Why Direct Examination Questions Matter

Direct examination is an important component of any trial. Lawyers are given the opportunity to present their case by means of witness testimonies, presenting facts in an orderly and clear manner. The goal is to enable witnesses to tell their story without unnecessary interference while making sure that the information is relevant and credible.

Well-crafted questions help in building a strong case by leading witnesses to give detailed and honest answers. Badly worded or leading questions can be objected to or lead to confusion, weakening the argument.

A key difference in direct examination is between leading and open-ended questions. Open-ended questions ask witnesses to describe in their own words, whereas leading questions suggest an answer and are typically not permitted.

With the help of lawyer prompts, attorneys can improve their questioning skills, making sure they ask clear, admissible, and case-relevant questions.

Creating Effective Prompts for AI

Useful responses can only be obtained from AI when one is specific with their questions. Asking AI for ‘direct examination questions’ won’t give you the best results. Instead, make sure to mention the type of witness, specific facts of the case, and the facts you wish to prove. A medical expert in a malpractice case will require a different prompt as compared to an eyewitness in a robbery trial.

Structured frameworks also enhance the effectiveness of AI responses. A well-structured prompt may look like the following:

• The type of witness (expert, victim, police officer)
• The case (accident, contract dispute, criminal defense).
• And the key facts to be proven.

Here’s an example of a basic vs. advanced prompt:

Basic: “Create direct examination questions for a case involving robbery.”

Advanced: “Generate direct examination questions for an eyewitness in a robbery. Focus on what they saw, heard, and remembered about the suspect. Do not ask leading questions.”

To check if AI-generated questions are effective, run a practice test by assuming the role of a lawyer in a court of law. This helps refine wording, ensure clarity, and confirm the questions align with legal standards.

Testing and Improving AI-Generated Questions

AI can easily craft direct examination questions, but these must be examined very carefully. The wording needs to be clear, legally accurate, and suitable for the courtroom. Poorly constructed questions can result in witnesses being confused or even opening the door to objections.

One method for refining AI-generated questions is by rephrasing them. If it sounds too vague or complicated, make it simpler. As in:

• Too vague: “Can you describe what happened?”
• Clearer: “What did you see when you entered the store on June 10th?”

AI may also make common errors, like creating leading questions. Lawyers should check each question carefully to make sure it follows legal rules and remains neutral. Small changes can make a big difference in courtroom effectiveness. By refining prompts to have AI draft direct examination questions, lawyers can create stronger, more effective examinations personalized to each case.

Examples of AI Prompts for Direct Examination

AI can create direct examination questions for various types of witnesses; however, the output is only as good as the prompt given. A well-designed prompt contains necessary information regarding the witness, case, and the type of response needed. Using prompts to have AI draft direct examination questions, lawyers can simplify their preparation and make sure that their questions are clear, admissible, and effective.

Direct Interrogation of a Crime Witness

“You are an experienced lawyer. You need to develop a set of open-ended direct examination questions for an eyewitness in a robbery case. Focus on what they saw, heard, and experienced. Avoid leading language and make sure that questions are neutral. Organize them in a sequential manner from before the event, during, and after. Make the questions clear and concise so a jury can easily understand them.”

Examining a Medical Expert in a Malpractice Case

“As an experienced attorney. Create detailed direct examination questions for a medical expert testifying in a malpractice lawsuit. Cover their credentials, experience, and specific findings in the case. Make sure your answers will help the jury determine whether negligence happened by including questions that show their authority, define medical terms, and describe typical practices.”

Examining a Police Officer in a Criminal Trial

“Act as an experienced lawyer. You need to prepare direct examination questions for a police officer who investigated a burglary. Highlight his role in the investigation, evidence collection, and procedural steps taken. Questions should include his training, observations at the crime scene, and interactions with suspects. Questions should not assume facts but allow the officer to explain his findings objectively.”

Direct Examination of a Victim in an Assault Case

“As a professional attorney. Write direct examination questions for a victim of an assault. Lead the questioning to help them describe the events leading up to, during, and after the incident. Make sure the questions allow them to express their experience without feeling pressured. Avoid leading language while ensuring key details about the attack, injuries, and emotional impact are covered.”

Questioning a Financial Expert in a Fraud Case

“Act as a professional lawyer. Develop direct examination questions for a forensic accountant providing testimony in a case involving corporate fraud. Concentrate on his expertise, his general investigation technique, and his financial findings. Questions that break down the difficult financial terms into simple explanations for the jury can explain to the jury patterns of fraud without reaching legal conclusions.”

Examining a Character Witness in a Custody Dispute

“As a seasoned lawyer, you must draft direct examination questions for a character witness who is appearing in court for child custody. Highlight the relationship with the parent, observations of parenting ability, and the well-being of the child. Make sure questions are framed to convey specific examples that show parenting skills, stability, and emotional support provided by the parent.”

Final Thoughts

AI can be a powerful tool for drafting direct examination questions, but human review is essential. Even the best AI-generated questions need careful checking to ensure clarity, accuracy, and legal compliance. A poorly worded question can weaken a case, so lawyers should always refine and adjust AI suggestions before using them in court.

While AI speeds up the process, it should never replace legal expertise. Lawyers must use their judgment to select the most effective questions and ensure they align with courtroom rules.

Experimenting with different prompts to have AI draft direct examination questions helps improve results. By testing and refining prompts, lawyers can create stronger, more structured questioning strategies tailored to each witness and case.