Prima Facie Quotes

“He’s being nice to me now,
and like every victim I have cross-examined
before I fall for it. I ache for nice-ness.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“And the system I’ve dedicated my life to is called upon, by me, to find the truth. To provide justice.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“Look to your left,
look to your right.
I am broken too.
But I am still here.
And I will not be silenced.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“Mum's face.
I can't help thinking she knows what it is to be violated somehow.
I'll never ask.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“A good lawyer just tells the best version of their client’s story. Nothing more.
Nothing else.
Just the storyteller, the voice piece. Never judge,
never ever judge.
Never decide! The minute you do that,
you’re fucked You have lost, you are lost.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“Don’t trust your gut instincts only your legal instincts.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“It’s not emotional for me.
It’s the game. The game of law.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“Yet significantly, research has shown that women giving evidence in sexual assault cases are just not believed! Even by other women.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“And then he says,
"The Crown Prosecution Service will decide if the case is good enough to go to trial."

I know this,
of course I know it.
But it's like a slap.

I don't get to decide.

My life is in the hands of the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the court system.

I have no control.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“What if he did it ?
I got him off.
Shit. Can't think like that,
the prosecutor should have done a better job!
My job is just to point out holes in the prosecution's story.
Find a reasonable doubt by cross-examining the alleged victim.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima facie

“But there's always that fucking question,

every dinner party;

"How do you act for someone you KNOW did it!?"

But, a lawyer's job is not that grand - uh uh - the job is not to KNOW.
It's to NOT know.

The only way the system works is because we all play our roles.
My role is defence,
the prosecutor, prosecutes;
we each tell a story
and the jury DECIDE which story is the one they believe. They take the responsibility.

A good lawyer just tells the best version of their client's story.

Nothing more.
Nothing else.
Just the storyteller, the voice piece.
Never judge,
never ever judge.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“The message is that if we do not deliver our evidence neatly in a clear linear story, with consistency in recall,
then we are lying. Yet before this,
I would point out inconsistencies as proof of doubt.
Would tell the jury they couldn’t possibly be “sure”.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“I am here in a unique position. Usually I stand at the bar,
but now I am in this courtroom as a witness,
a complainant,
a victim.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“Voir Dire”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“Day one law school.
Only trust your legal instincts.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“It’s an interesting case though’,
two defence lawyers fighting it out was an interesting concept for the Crown Prosecution Service.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“Prosecutors work with the police.
Say they’re fighting for justice – but they’re fighting for jail time!”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“There is no real truth, only legal truth.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“Society tells us that law school means you’re important.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie

“Cross-examination.
It’s the best part.
All instinct.”
― Suzie Miller, Prima Facie