In trial procedure, which stage involves the direct questioning of witnesses by the party who called them?

In trial procedure, which stage involves the direct questioning of witnesses by the party who called them?

• A. Opening statements
• B. Cross-examination
• C. Direct examination
• D. Closing arguments

Answer: (C)

Direct examination is the stage where the party who called the witness asks questions to elicit the witness’s own testimony. The goal is to let the witness describe what they observed or experienced in their own words, usually with open-ended questions like “What did you see?” or “Describe what happened.” This helps establish the facts from the perspective of the party presenting the witness. This phase contrasts with cross-examination, where the opposing party questions the witness to test reliability or credibility, and with opening statements and closing arguments, which occur before any evidence is presented and after all evidence is heard, respectively.

Direct examination is the stage where the party who called the witness asks questions to elicit the witness’s own testimony. The goal is to let the witness describe what they observed or experienced in their own words, usually with open-ended questions like “What did you see?” or “Describe what happened.” This helps establish the facts from the perspective of the party presenting the witness.

This phase contrasts with cross-examination, where the opposing party questions the witness to test reliability or credibility, and with opening statements and closing arguments, which occur before any evidence is presented and after all evidence is heard, respectively.