Paul Bergman is a Professor of Law Emeritus at the UCLA School of Law and a recipient of two University Distinguished Teaching Awards. His books include:
- Nolo’s Deposition Handbook (with Moore, Nolo)
- Real to Reel: Truth & Trickery in Courtroom Movies (with Asimow, Vandeplas Publishing)
- Trial Advocacy: Inferences, Arguments, Techniques (with Moore and Binder, West Publishing Co.)
- Trial Advocacy in a Nutshell (West Publishing Co.)
- Represent Yourself in Court: Prepare & Try a Winning Case (with Berman, Nolo)
- Depositions in a Nutshell (with Moore, Binder, and Light, West Publishing Co.)
- Lawyers as Counselors: A Client-Centered Approach (with Binder, Tremblay, and Weinstein, West Publishing Co.)
- Cracking the Case Method (with Goodman and Holm, West Academic Publishing)
- Evidence Law and Practice (with Friedland and Benham, Carolina Academic Press), and
- You Matter: Ten Spiritual Commitments for a Richer and More Meaningful Life (with Rabbi Mark Borovitz, AuthorHouse).
Paul has also published numerous articles in law journals. And, using clips from law-related films, he regularly gives presentations to lawyers, judges, and community groups.
Articles By Paul Bergman
Defendants charged with crimes are almost always best served by obtaining a lawyer.
In every state, crimes are put into distinct categories. The categories are usually "felony," "misdemeanor," and "infraction."
Just about everything that happens in a courtroom can seem confusing to someone who hasn’t experienced the justice system firsthand. Even the courtroom itself can be confounding.
Chain of custody typically refers to the foundation the prosecution needs to establish for certain types of exhibits to be admitted into evidence.
To help choose the right lawyer for your criminal case, look for someone who knows the local players, has experience defending similar charges, and is a good fit for you.
If done properly, trying to interview prosecution witnesses can be an effective investigation technique for the defense.
Police officers arrest suspects, but prosecutors decide whether to file formal charges against suspects. Learn how charges are filed and what factors prosecutors may consider in deciding on particular charges.
For most defendants, the principal benefit to plea bargaining is receiving a lighter sentence for a less severe charge than might result from a conviction at trial.
Defendants can offer evidence of their good character—but not without risk.
When a judge sentences a defendant after a guilty or “no contest” plea or a jury conviction, a variety of factors come into play.