Cross-examination is a part of the legal process, typically occurring during a trial or hearing, where a lawyer has the opportunity to question a witness who has already testified on direct examination by the opposing side. The primary purpose of cross-examination is to challenge the witness's testimony, credibility, and reliability, as well as to clarify facts and reveal any inconsistencies or biases.
Key elements of cross-examination include:
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Questioning Technique: Cross-examination often involves leading questions—questions that suggest their own answers—to provoke specific responses from the witness.
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Impeachment: The goal may also be to impeach the witness, meaning to undermine their credibility, perhaps by highlighting contradictions in their statements or presenting evidence that conflicts with their testimony.
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Control: The lawyer conducting the cross-examination seeks to maintain control over the witness and steer the questioning in a direction that supports their case.
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Scope: While cross-examination is generally limited to the subjects covered in direct examination, a skilled lawyer may expand the scope carefully to explore broader issues.
In summary, cross-examination is a vital tool in the legal system, allowing attorneys to test the strength of the opposing side's evidence and assert their own narrative.
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