Hostile witness definitions
| Word backwards | elitsoh ssentiw |
|---|---|
| Part of speech | The part of speech of the term "hostile witness" is a noun. |
| Syllabic division | hos-tile wit-ness |
| Plural | The plural of the word "hostile witness" is "hostile witnesses". |
| Total letters | 14 |
| Vogais (3) | o,i,e |
| Consonants (6) | h,s,t,l,w,n |
Hostile Witness
Definition
A hostile witness is a person called to testify in a court case who appears unwilling to cooperate with the questioning attorney. This lack of cooperation can manifest in different ways, such as providing evasive answers, showing hostility towards the questioner, or deliberately contradicting a previous statement.
Role in Legal Proceedings
When a witness becomes hostile during a court proceeding, the attorney who called the witness may request that the witness be designated as hostile by the judge. This designation allows the attorney to ask leading questions, which are typically not allowed during direct examination. By asking leading questions, attorneys can try to clarify inconsistencies in the witness's testimony or highlight their lack of credibility.
Challenges Faced
Dealing with a hostile witness can present challenges for both the questioning attorney and the court. The attorney must navigate carefully to avoid escalating the situation while still attempting to elicit useful information from the witness. Judges must also intervene if a witness's behavior becomes overly disruptive or uncooperative.
Importance of Hostile Witnesses
Hostile witnesses play a crucial role in the legal system by testing the credibility of testimony and exposing potential biases or inaccuracies. By challenging the witness's account of events, attorneys can uncover new information or cast doubt on the veracity of the witness's statements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hostile witnesses add a layer of complexity to legal proceedings but also offer opportunities to uncover the truth. By carefully managing the questioning of hostile witnesses, attorneys can work towards securing a fair and just resolution in court cases.
Hostile witness Examples
- During cross-examination, the defense attorney labeled the witness as a hostile witness due to his uncooperative responses.
- The prosecutor tried to impeach the credibility of the hostile witness by pointing out inconsistencies in his testimony.
- The judge warned the hostile witness to answer the questions truthfully or face contempt of court charges.
- The defense counsel's strategy was to discredit the hostile witness in front of the jury.
- The hostile witness exhibited obvious bias towards the defendant, casting doubt on the validity of his statements.
- Despite being labeled a hostile witness, the individual's testimony remained a crucial piece of evidence in the trial.
- The prosecutor's aggressive questioning style caused the witness to become defensive and classified as a hostile witness.
- The defense attorney's goal was to undermine the credibility of the hostile witness and sway the jury in their favor.
- The witness's antagonistic behavior towards the attorneys led to them being categorized as a hostile witness.
- The hostile witness refused to answer certain questions, leading to a tense atmosphere in the courtroom.