Cross-examination

Cross-examination is questioning a witness by the opposing party in a legal proceeding to test or challenge the witness’s testimony.

Leading question: A question that suggests or contains the answer its examiner seeks. Cross-examiners can generally use leading questions to control the witness’s answers.
Witness: A person who gives evidence about relevant matters in a legal proceeding. Cross-examination tests the evidence given by this person.
Roman-canonical procedure: A European legal procedure shaped by Roman law and canon law, traditionally relying on written evidence and judicial inquiry. Its inquisitorial methods contrast with the oral party questioning associated with cross-examination.
Hearsay: An out-of-court statement offered in court to prove the truth of what it asserts. Hearsay often raises concern because the opposing party may lack an opportunity to cross-examine its speaker.
Criminal trial: A legal proceeding in which the state seeks to prove that a defendant committed a crime. The defense may cross-examine prosecution witnesses to test the case against the defendant.
Direct examination: Questioning a party’s own witness before the opposing party questions that witness. It precedes cross-examination and generally uses less leading questioning.
Testimony: Evidence given by a witness under oath or affirmation in a legal proceeding. It is the account cross-examination seeks to examine or challenge.
English common law: A legal tradition developed through judicial decisions and precedent in England. Cross-examination became a defining practice of common-law trials.
Deposition: Sworn out-of-court testimony recorded for use in litigation. A deposition permits questioning before trial, unlike courtroom cross-examination during a trial.
Civil trial: A court proceeding resolving a dispute between private parties or other noncriminal litigants. Parties use cross-examination to challenge witnesses whose evidence supports an opposing claim.

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