Judiciary And Legal Systems Questions
Direct examination and cross-examination are two distinct phases of the questioning process in a legal trial.
Direct examination refers to the questioning of a witness by the party who called them to testify. The purpose of direct examination is to elicit information and evidence that supports the case of the party conducting the examination. The questions asked during direct examination are typically open-ended and allow the witness to provide detailed responses. The goal is to present a clear and favorable narrative to the court or jury.
On the other hand, cross-examination is the questioning of a witness by the opposing party. The purpose of cross-examination is to challenge the credibility, accuracy, or reliability of the witness's testimony and to uncover any inconsistencies or weaknesses in their statements. The questions asked during cross-examination are often leading and designed to elicit specific answers that may undermine the witness's credibility or the case of the opposing party.
In summary, the main difference between direct examination and cross-examination lies in their objectives and the parties conducting the questioning. Direct examination aims to present evidence in support of a party's case, while cross-examination seeks to challenge the credibility and weaken the testimony of the opposing party's witness.