Dictionary of Law
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material witness :: legal definition


Material witness - n. a person who apparently has information about the subject matter of a lawsuit or criminal prosecution which is significant enough to affect the outcome of the case or trial. Thus, the court must make every reasonable effort to allow such a witness to testify, including a continuance (delay in a trial) to accommodate him/her if late or temporarily unavailable.

See also: material trial witness and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

cross-examination :: n. the opportunity for the attorney (or an unrepre ... examination testimony trial witness
deposition :: n. the taking and recording of testimony of a witn ... See also: deponent depose discovery
expert witness :: n. a person who is a specialist in a subject, ofte ... sitions. See also: expert testimony
hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay
inspection of documents :: n. the right to examine and copy the opposing part ... evidence subpena duces tecum trial
objection :: n. a lawyer's protest about the legal propriety of ... ng question object overrule sustain
testimony :: n. oral evidence given under oath by a witness in ... tion evidence testify trial witness
ultimate fact :: n. in a trial, a conclusion of fact which is logic ... is not evidence. See also: evidence
witness :: 1) n. a person who testifies under oath in a trial ... lso: deposition evidence trial will

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Other Law Terms - M

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maim :: v. to inflict a serious bodily injury, including m ... to a prison term. See also: mayhem
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make one whole :: v. to pay or award damages sufficient to put the p ... fault of another. See also: damages
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malicious prosecution :: n. filing a lawsuit with the intention of creating ... vor of the victim. See also: malice
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malum in se :: (mal-uhm in say) adv. Latin referring to an act th ... hibitum. See also: malum prohibitum
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mandamus :: (man-dame-us) n. Latin for "we order," a writ (mor ... mandamus. See also: writ of mandate
mandate :: n. 1) any mandatory order or requirement under sta ... See also: mandamus writ of mandate
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