why a defense attorney may want to cross-examine a witness.

by Mohamed Wilderman 3 min read

During cross-examination the defense attorney seeks to persuade the jury that the witness' testimony is: inconsistent with other testimony or evidence biased against the defendant the result of a witness' personal motive demonstrates that the witness (if a co-defendant) had the opportunity to commit the crime

The purpose of cross-examination is to create doubt about the truthfulness of the witness's testimony, especially as it applies to the incidents that are at issue in the case. Cross-examination questions are usually the opposite of direct examination questions.

Full Answer

What does the Attorney ask during cross-examination?

Feb 16, 2017 · After the prosecutor finishes with direct examination of a witness, the defense has the right to “cross-examine” the witness. The approach a defense attorney takes when cross-examining a witness is a strategical decision that is based on a number of factors. For example, if the witness is an expert witness, a defense attorney often focuses on getting the witness to …

What should be the focus of the defense's cross-examination?

Cross-examination is an opportunity for the defense attorney to question the prosecution's witnesses during a trial. Cross-examination is an effective way for the defense to present evidence by using government witnesses. On cross, the attorney should be asking questions that develop the defense's theory of the case theory of the case. Cross may be the defense's only …

Can a witness be cross examined without asking a question?

Oct 26, 2020 · Attorneys use cross-examination to question the accuracy of the witness’s memory, explore the witness’s biases, and challenge the witness’s ability to identify certain facts that they testified to. A common way to challenge a witness’s credibility is to ask the witness if they have been convicted of a felony or “crime of moral turpitude.”

Why is cross examination important in a criminal case?

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Why does the defense attorney have the opportunity to cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses?

Witness Examination Following the prosecutor's examination of a witness, the defense attorney has an opportunity to cross examine or ask questions to the same witness. The purpose of cross examination is to create doubt as to the credibility of the witness.

What is cross-examination by defense?

Cross-examination is an opportunity for the defense attorney to question the prosecution's witnesses during a trial. Cross-examination is an effective way for the defense to present evidence by using government witnesses.May 11, 2011

Can prosecution cross-examine a defense witness?

If you are a witness for the defense, or the rare defendant who testifies on his one behalf, you will be subject to cross-examination by the prosecutor.Oct 26, 2020

What is cross-examine witnesses?

Definition from Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary At trial, the opportunity to question any witness who testifies on behalf of any other party to the lawsuit (in civil cases) or for the prosecution or other codefendants (in criminal cases).

Why is cross-examination important?

Cross-examination is the most effective tool in law to elicit the truth. Cross-examination is necessary to give credibility to the testimony made by a witness. Evidence given by a witness is admissible only if the opposite part tests the truthfulness by cross-examination.Oct 29, 2020

What can be asked in cross-examination?

In the course of cross-examination, a witness may be asked questions: (i) To test his veracity; (ii) To discover who he is and what his position in life is; (iii) To shake his credit by injuring his character, although his answer might criminate him or expose him to penalty or forfeiture.Aug 1, 2020

Can accused cross-examine witness?

An accused certainly has under Section 208(2), Criminal P.C., a right to cross-examine the witnesses for the prosecution, but he must exercise that right at the proper time, that is to say, after the close of the examination-in-chief.

Can a party cross-examine his own witness?

"the court may in its discretion, permit the person who calls a witness to put questions to him, which might be put in cross-examination by the adverse party." A party us allowed to cross examine his own witness because the witness displays hostility and not necessarily because; he display untruthfulness.

What is the purpose of re examination?

The "purpose of re-examination is to enable the witness to explain and clarify relevant testimony which may have been weakened or obscured in cross-examination."It is purpose is to rehabiliate and explain the evidence elicited in cross-examination.

What is cross-examination explain giving an example?

Cross Examination Defined A lawyer stands behind a table in the courtroom and is patiently waiting for the next witness to be called. The lawyer will ask the witness a series of questions he or she prepared for the trial. The process of asking a witness questions is a method known as cross examination.Oct 16, 2021

Direct Examination

  • During direct exams, attorneys can ask witnesses to identify demonstrative evidence, such as documents and photographs and/or to explain what they saw, heard, or did in relation to the case at hand. For example, a plaintiff's attorney in a car accident personal injury lawsuit may call a bystander to testify as to what he or she saw just before, during, and/or after the accident, includ…
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Cross-Examination

  • After the plaintiff's attorney completes the direct examination, the defendant's attorney gets to cross-examine the witness. Cross-examination is a fundamental right in the American system of justice. Generally, cross-examination is limited to matters covered during the direct examination. The attorney may ask leading questions during cross-examination.
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Challenging Witness's Credibility on Cross-Examination

  • During cross-examination, the attorney tries to undermine or impeach the witness's credibility by showing that the witness is not reliable or that the witness may have misstated something or even lied during the direct examination. For example, if the witness said one thing in an accident report or during a depositionand then testified differently at trial, the defendant's attorney can refer to t…
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Redirect and Recross Examination

  • Following cross-examination of the witness, the plaintiff's attorney has an opportunity to ask the witness follow-up questions regarding topics discussed during the cross. After this, the opposing attorney can conduct a final recross examination of the witness, which is limited to the subjects brought up during the redirect.
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Defense's Case

  • Once the plaintiff's attorney has called all of the plaintiff's witnesses, the defendant's attorney begins calling witnesses. The same procedure is followed as in the plaintiff's presentation of witnesses. The defendant's attorney conducts direct examination of the witnesses, and the plaintiff's attorney will conduct cross-examinations.
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