To question (someone) closely in order to verify facts, or information previously given
When a lawyer cross-examines someone during a trial or hearing, he or she questions them about the evidence that they have already given. The accused's lawyers will get a chance to cross-examine him You know you are liable to be cross-examined mercilessly about the assault. + cross-examination cross-examinations cross-examination during the cross-examination of a witness in a murder case Under cross-examination, he admitted the state troopers used more destructive ammunition than usual. to ask someone questions about something that they have just said, to see if they are telling the truth, especially in a court of law
Asking questions of a witness who was put on the stand by the other lawyer Cross-examination is usually intended to discredit the witness or weaken the effect of the testimony
Under the Sixth Amendment, the defendant has the right to confront and to cross-examine the government's witnesses The government also has the right to cross-examine defense witnesses at trial Ordinarily, questions on cross-examination are designed to test the credibility of the witness or to emphasize facts that are favorable to the questioner's case
(law) close questioning of a hostile witness in a court of law to discredit or throw a new light on the testimony already provided in direct examination
In trials, each party calls witnesses Each party may also question the other's witness(es) When you ask questions of the other party's witness(es), it is called a "cross-examination" and you are allowed considerably more latitude in cross-examination then when you question your own witnesses (called an "examination-in-chief") For example, you are not allowed to ask leading questions to your own witness whereas you can in cross-examination
asking questions of a witness who is put on the stand by the other lawyer Cross-examination is usually intended to discredit the witness or weaken the effect of a testimony
a form of debate in which debaters are permitted to ask direct questions of their opponents during specified question periods, usually immediately following the opponent's constructive speeches A title for the question periods
1 The questioning of a witness, by a party or lawyer other than the one who called the witness, concerning matters about which the witness has testified during direct examination The purpose is to discredit or clarify testimony already given so as to neutralize damaging testimony or present facts in a light more favorable to the party against whom the direct testimony was offered