James glanced toward her briefcase at the plaintiff's table. "You've mentioned that you are familiar with legal procedures. What work do you do?"
Maya paused. "I work in law," she said. "My responsibilities involve reviewing evidence and assessing allegations of misconduct."
"Would you be more specific?"
She looked toward Judge Coleman. "With the court's permission, I'd prefer to address my credentials when the parties reach that part of the evidence. There are professional confidentiality issues I have been careful not to disturb."
Brennan stood and said he had no objection so long as the witness did not later claim expert authority without proper disclosure. Judge Coleman reminded both sides that credentials would be considered only for appropriate purposes and could not replace proof of what happened. James accepted the ruling. The briefcase remained unopened beside the plaintiff's chair.
Brennan approached for cross-examination with a softer voice than he had used in his opening statement. He asked whether Maya agreed that officers encountered danger during traffic stops. She did. He asked whether drivers sometimes concealed weapons in glove compartments. She acknowledged that they could, while noting she had announced her intention before moving. He asked whether a driver questioning commands might make an officer more cautious.
"Caution is understandable," Maya answered. "It does not explain why he gave conflicting commands or left me kneeling after any immediate concern had passed."
Brennan tried a different approach. "You knew how to create a detailed record of the encounter, didn't you?"
"I knew how to pay attention."
"You photographed your injuries almost immediately."
"Yes."
"You called an attorney."
"Yes."
"Would you agree that you were preparing a claim against Officer Callahan almost from the moment the stop ended?"
Maya looked at him evenly. "I was preparing to make sure the facts could be checked. I didn't know what the legal process would become."