Dictionary of Law
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cross-examination :: legal definition


Cross-examination - n. the opportunity for the attorney (or an unrepresented party) to ask questions in court of a witness who has testified in a trial on behalf of the opposing party. The questions on cross-examination are limited to the subjects covered in the direct examination of the witness, but importantly, the attorney may ask leading questions, in which he/she is allowed to suggest answers or put words in the witness's mouth. (For example, "Isn't it true that you told Mrs. Jones she had done nothing wrong?" which is leading, as compared to "Did you say anything to Mrs. Jones?") A strong cross-examination (often called just "cross" by lawyers and judges) can force contradictions, expressions of doubts or even complete obliteration of a witness's prior carefully rehearsed testimony. On the other hand, repetition of a witness' s story, vehemently defended, can strengthen his/her credibility.

See also: credibility direct examination testimony trial witness and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

adverse witness :: n. a witness in a trial who is found by the judge ... r the opposition. See also: witness
attorney :: n. 1) an agent or someone authorized to act for an ... ialize. See also: court reciprocity
attorney-client privilege :: n. the requirement that an attorney may not reveal ... ivileged communication work product
bar examination :: n. the examination given in each state by either t ... n that district. See also: attorney
compound question :: n. the combination of more than one question into ... rate questions. See also: objection
continuing objection :: n. an objection to certain questions or testimony ... ional distress. See also: objection
court :: n. 1) the judge, as in "The court rules in favor o ... cost and wait of full court trials.
deposition :: n. the taking and recording of testimony of a witn ... See also: deponent depose discovery
direct examination :: n. the first questioning of a witness during a tri ... nation deposition testimony witness
directed verdict :: n. a verdict by a jury based on the specific direc ... element judgment jury trial verdict
examination :: n. 1) the questioning of a witness by an attorney. ... irect examination testimony witness
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
hostile witness :: n. technically an "adverse witness" in a trial who ... so: adverse witness leading witness
interrogatories :: n. a set of written questions to a party to a laws ... ing. See also: deposition discovery
irrelevant :: adj. not important, pertinent, or germane to the m ... ce immaterial incompetent objection
jury :: n. one of the remarkable innovations of the Englis ... hallenge sequester venire voir dire
jury trial :: n. a trial of a lawsuit or criminal prosecution in ... the final judgment. See also: jury
leading :: 1) v. short for "leading the witness," in which th ... tness leading the witness objection
leading question :: n. a question asked of a witness by an attorney du ... e also: cross-examination objection
leading the witness :: n. asking a question during a trial or deposition ... n hostile witness leading objection
lineup :: n. a law enforcement method used in an attempt to ... entification is precarious at best.
material witness :: n. a person who apparently has information about t ... e. See also: material trial witness
motion :: n. a formal request made to a judge for an order o ... g, an oral motion may be permitted.
object :: 1) v. to ask the court not to allow a particular q ... he contract..." See also: objection
objection :: n. a lawyer's protest about the legal propriety of ... ng question object overrule sustain
physician-patient privilege :: n. the right and obligation of a physician to refu ... onfidential communication privilege
prevailing party :: n. the winner in a lawsuit. Many contracts, leases ... ed before or after trial has begun.
sanction :: n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a ... ction." See also: contempt of court
self-serving :: adj. referring to a question asked of a party to a ... ng declaration. See also: objection
settlement :: n. the resolution of a lawsuit (or of a legal disp ... ult in settlement. See also: settle
solicitor :: n. an English attorney who may perform all legal s ... s or barristers. See also: attorney
summary adjudication of issues :: n. a court order ruling that certain factual issue ... is made. See also: summary judgment
sustain :: v. in trial practice, for a judge to agree that an ... /she will "overrule" the objection.
testify :: v. to give oral evidence under oath in answer to q ... deposition evidence testimony trial
testimony :: n. oral evidence given under oath by a witness in ... tion evidence testify trial witness
trial :: n. the examination of facts and law presided over ... at a hearing held at a later time.
ultimate fact :: n. in a trial, a conclusion of fact which is logic ... is not evidence. See also: evidence
verdict :: n. the decision of a jury after a trial, which mus ... nt quotient verdict special verdict
voir dire :: (vwahr [with a near-silent "r"] deer) n. from Fren ... t witness jury peremptory challenge
witness :: 1) n. a person who testifies under oath in a trial ... lso: deposition evidence trial will

Popular Law Searches

legal definition ministerial act :: n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee ... exercising any individual judgment.
chancery legal definition :: n. a court that can order acts performed. Today ch ... ts in most states. See also: equity
testamentary disposition legal definition :: n. how the terms of a will divide the testator's ( ... named beneficiaries. See also: will
contract of sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
forthwith legal definition :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
forthwith definition legal :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
what is to wit in a legal contract :: prep. that is to say. Example: "the passengers in ... tty Bumgartner and Sherry Younger."
mirror wills legal definition :: n. the wills of a husband and wife which are ident ... d each names the other as executor.
clean hands doctrine latin :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
sine qua non only relates to contract law :: (see-nay kwah nahn) prep. Latin for "without which ... qua non of the injury to Playmate.

Other Law Terms - C

C.I.F. :: n. the total of cost, insurance and freight charge ... aid on goods purchased and shipped.
calendar :: 1) n. the list of cases to be called for trial bef ... clerk of the court calendars cases.
calendar call :: n. the hearing at which a case is set for trial. ... g at which a case is set for trial.
call :: n. the demand by a corporation that a stockholder ... assessment on shares already owned.
calumny :: n. the intentional and generally vicious false acc ... 's reputation. See also: defamation
cancel :: v. to cross out, annul, destroy, void and/or resci ... g, so that it cannot be used again.
cancellation :: cancel ... cancel
caning :: n. a punishment for crimes employed in certain Asi ... last century in the United States.
canon law :: n. laws and regulations over ecclesiastical (churc ... nduct with no religious connection.
cap :: n. slang for maximum, as the most interest that ca ... "adjustable rate" promissory note.
capital :: 1) n. from Latin for caput, meaning "head," the ba ... count capital assets stock in trade
capital account :: n. the record which lists all basic assets of a bu ... or the alleged value of good will.
capital assets :: n. equipment, property, and funds owned by a busin ... . See also: capital capital account
capital expenditure :: n. payment by a business for basic assets such as ... y intended to improve productivity.
capital gains :: n. the difference between the sales price and the ... so: basis delayed exchange exchange
capital investment :: capital expenditure ... capital expenditure
capital offense :: n. any criminal charge which is punishable by the ... . See also: bail capital punishment
capital punishment :: n. execution (death) for a capital offense. The U. ... or death. See also: capital offense
capital stock :: n. the original amount paid by investors into a co ... price. See also: corporation stock
capitalization :: n. 1) the act of counting anticipated earnings and ... for conversion into capital assets.