Cross-examination at Court

I am back from court. I had a sitting where I had to interrogate a woman for not answering a court order. 

It went well, but here's the thing;

While sitting outside the court room, waiting for the judge to call us in, you could tell the woman was terrified. She was shaking, worried and not calm. Every second she turns her head to look at me. She knew I'm her opponent. I am a lawyer and she is not. She knew she did something wrong for not obeying the court order. You could tell she fears the coming. 

I, in the other hand, was calm. At first I didn't care how afraid she was. I came to do what I had to do. I came to make her pay. But then, looking at her shaking and looking so scared, made me back off a little. All of a sudden I felt sorry for her. I felt that maybe she just did a mistake and didn't expect herself being in that place at the moment. 

Feeling sorry is my problem. Being nice. I thought how could I cross-examine her right now? I am not evil. I wanted to approach her to tell her it's okay. I wanted to protect her. I had a mixed feelings and thoughts. In one hand I have my client to protect and give him his rights and money, and in the other hand I have this poor woman that doesn't even know her fate after the coming sitting.

Anyway, I didn't approach to her or anything. I grabbed myself together. I stopped all those thoughts and snapped myself out of this mess. I remembered the first sentence I learned in this field: "Put the feelings aside". I focused on my client's needs and rights and went in the courtroom. 

As the interrogation started, after a couple of questions and answers been said, a lawyer came in the room and presented himself as her lawyer. I felt better. I saw her face brighten a little. More relaxed. And we continued. 

Maybe I felt now we are more equaled a little. I don't know.

It went well. the court ruling was charging her with the amount of money she had to give my client. 

I don't know what to think about my job. Is it not for me? I really wanted to go easy with the cross examination on her. I didn't want to "ruin her life". How should I handle those situations and feelings? Maybe by time and experience? I don't know. Will learn.