when a lawyer asks to reexamin a witness it means

by Dr. Tyrese Considine 7 min read

What Is Cross-Examination? The purpose of cross-examination is to test the credibility of statements the witness made during direct examination. It gives a party to a criminal trial, through an attorney, the opportunity to question, challenge, and test witnesses who are called by the opposing party.Oct 26, 2020

What is a re-examination of a witness?

Re-examination of a Witness Once a witness has given their evidence-in-chief and been cross-examined by the other side the solicitor may re-examine their witness. The purpose of re-examination is to give the witness an opportunity to explain any matters raised during cross-examination and is therefore limited to only those matters that were raised during cross …

When can a solicitor re-examine a witness?

After cross-examination, counsel calling a witness may wish to re-examine him, being limited to clearing up points left in doubt; if re-examination discloses some new matter, the court may permit further cross-examination. Collins Dictionary of Law © W.J. Stewart, 2006 RE-EXAMINATION. A second examination of a thing.

What is it called when a lawyer goes after a witness?

to examine (someone or something) again especially from a different point of view; to question (a witness) again in a legal proceeding… See the full definition SINCE 1828

Can a defendant be re-examined?

Re-examination is the final part of questioning of a witness at trial following their cross-examination. It enables the party who first called them to ask further questions, but only if those questions relate to a matter which has arisen during the cross-examination of that witness. For example, a prosecution witness will be taken through their evidence-in-chief by the prosecutor, …

What is examining a witness?

Steps in a Trial When the lawyer for the plaintiff or the government has finished questioning a witness, the lawyer for the defendant may then cross-examine the witness. Cross-examination is generally limited to questioning only on matters that were raised during direct examination.Sep 9, 2019

What is it called when a witness is being questioned?

examination. n. 1) the questioning of a witness by an attorney. Direct examination is interrogation by the attorney who called the witness, and cross-examination is questioning by the opposing attorney.

Why do lawyers have to ask to approach the witness?

Typically, when attorneys ask to approach the bench they want to discuss a point of the case. Most often, these discussions concern matters of law or procedure. These discussions are purposefully held out of the jury's hearing to avoid confusing the issues or influencing the jurors.Jun 8, 2014

What happens when you cross-examine a witness?

The concept of cross-examination is that the lawyer is supposed to control the witness and force the witness to answer questions harmful to an adversary's case. When you ask an open-ended question, or a question where you do not know what the answer will be, the witness may hit that question out of the ballpark.

How do lawyers ask questions?

0:165:25How to ask questions like a lawyer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first secret is that what we're doing we're not really asking questions what we're doing isMoreThe first secret is that what we're doing we're not really asking questions what we're doing is making statements. That sound like questions and those are statements that the witness.

Who cross-examine the witnesses?

In civil and criminal cases, the judge has the power to summon witnesses as court witnesses and examine them. They can be cross-examined by both the parties as provided in Section 165, Evidence Act. Such cross-examination is not restricted to the points on which he has been examined by the court.Aug 1, 2020

Can I approach a witness?

It is customary in many courts during direct or cross-examination for an attorney to ask the presiding judge for permission before approaching the witness on the stand.

What name is given to the questioning of a witness in a court of law?

When you question your own witnesses, this is called direct examination.

What does it mean when the judge takes a sidebar?

The area in front of or next to the bench that is removed from the witness stand and the jury box. Judges will often call attorneys to speak confidentially with the judge privately so that the jury cannot hear what is discussed. (2.) To take part in such a discussion (as in to sidebar with another party).

What can be asked in cross-examination?

Establish and maintain your control over the witness by following the traditional rules of cross-examination: Ask only leading questions, ask only questions which can be answered with a “yes” or “no” (if possible in a situation where either answer hurts the witness) and never ask a question unless, first, it is ...Oct 1, 2006

Can accused cross-examine witness?

An accused certainly has under Section 208(2), Criminal P.C., a right to cross-examine the witnesses for the prosecution, but he must exercise that right at the proper time, that is to say, after the close of the examination-in-chief.

What is the purpose of re-examination?

The "purpose of re-examination is to enable the witness to explain and clarify relevant testimony which may have been weakened or obscured in cross-examination."It is purpose is to rehabiliate and explain the evidence elicited in cross-examination.

Definition of reexamine

1 : to examine (someone or something) again especially from a different point of view reexamine the patient/evidence reexamining our assumptions It's healthy, I think, to reexamine old institutions and futz with them rather than throw them out entirely.

Legal Definition of reexamine

What made you want to look up reexamine? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

What is re-examination?

Re-examination is the final part of questioning of a witness at trial following their cross-examination.

What is re-examination used for?

It is used to clarify any matters which have become unclear during cross-examination;

The power of re-examination

Re-examination can be a powerful tool for an advocate where careless questions are asked or careless answers given during cross-examination, for the following reason:

What happens when I have finished giving my evidence?

Once you have finished giving your evidence you will be ‘released’ by the judge (i.e. informed you are no longer required) and can leave or, if you were present in court when giving evidence, sit in the public galley and watch the rest of the case should you choose to do so.

What is the examination of a witness?

The examination of the witness is the process of obtaining evidence from the witness.#N#This process involving asking questions and leading the witness to adduce articles or documents as evidence before the court.#N#The techniques in the examination of witness hinge itself on how to frame/phrase your questions and how to lead the witness to properly adduce his evidence.

Is the examination of witnesses a statute?

The rules and technicalities regarding the examination of witnesses are not provided by any statute. These are just rules of guidance based on experience, psychology, logic, and wisdom of advocates.

What is cross examination?

Cross examination Is an examination of a witness by the opposite party after examination in chief. For example when you have been called by the republic to give evidence in any criminal case, the questions that you will be asked by the a state attorney or public prosecutor is an examination in chief and the question that will be asked by the accused person is cross-examination.

Why is it important to examine witnesses?

Examination of witnesses is an important principle in which witness take a stand of his or her words. For the protection of the integrity of the evidence. It is a very important part of a criminal and civil trial. It is not important only for law students, it is also important for practising lawyers to know the art and law related to examination ...

What is the examination of witnesses?

The examination of witnesses in criminal cases are present in all the trials of Code of Criminal Procedure, in the warrant trial when police made the report, examination of witnesses are performed by the prosecution after the charges are framed and accused pleads guilty, then the court gives the chance to prosecution to prove the guilt of the accused. Here prosecution needs evidence with statements from its witnesses. This is an examination in chief. In this condition, the magistrate has the power to issue summons to any person as a witness. After examination in chief, defendant can ask the cross-questions from the prosecution witness that is called cross-examination. After the cross-examination if the prosecution has some queries then he asks the question from the witness that is called re-examination.

How are Section 137 and 138 related?

Section 137 and 138 are so related to each other that it would be suitable to deal with them together. There are three stages in which witnesses are examined, these are examination in chief, cross examination, re examination under Section137 of Evidence Act.While Section 138 of Evidence Act gives an order of examination in chief, cross examination, re examination. It also gives the extent to which examination in chief, cross-examination and re-examination may go. This Section does not deal with the admissibility of proof, but simply establish that a witness shall first be examined in chief, then cross examined and lastly re examined.

Which order says that the witness must be on affidavit?

Rule 4 of Order XVIII said that party who called the witness for the examination of witnesses in every case shall be on affidavit and copies of the affidavit shall be supplied to the opposite party.

When the party starts the examination of witnesses of the evidence then the other witnesses must be kept out of the Courtroom.

When the party starts the examination of witnesses of the evidence then the other witnesses must be kept out of the Courtroom. When the examination of one witness is completed then the next witness is called for the examination. And witness whose examination is completed, are not allowed to remain in the courtroom. If the witness remains present in the courtroom then he should be asked to go out. If any witness present during the examination of another witness then his examination can not be refused only a note to be made by the judge that he was present in the courtroom during the examination of another witness.

Who can use a panchnama?

Such a list or Panchnama or memoranda can only be used by people who signed them or who made them to review their memory within the meaning of Section 159 of Indian Evidence Act. Wherever statement is ascribed to an accused person in police custody giving information leading to discovery must be proved by the witness like any other facts. The evidence about the preparation of Panchnamas of a list of discovery of a memorandum should not be permitted to depend on the cleverness of the police officer who may or may not like to write the statement in the accurate words of the accused.

Do statements of witnesses have to be true?

Statement of the witness which are given during the examination of witnesses must be true under oath, and at last the Judge of the court decide the reliability of the testimony of the witness and admit the statement of the witnesses.

How to impeach a witness?

Impeaching a Witness Through Prior Inconsistent Statements. Confronting a witness with that person’s own statements that are at odds with the person’s testimony is a very common way to impeach the witness. But the opposition can’t just introduce the statement without giving the witness a chance to explain. The court may require that the lawyer ...

Can a witness be impeached?

Impeaching a Witness. Litigants can challenge the credibility of opposing witnesses—even their own witnesses—in a number of ways, including by showing the judge or jury that the witness made inconsistent statements in the past. When someone testifies under oath in a hearing, trial, or deposition, the other side will typically challenge ...

Can you believe me if you are an adulterer?

In other words, a person may be an adulterer, but he may not be impeached on this fact alone. If he’s a lying adulterer, however, his reputation for lying could come into evidence.

What does it mean to be a witness?

When you are acting as a witness, you will be dealing with two attorneys (the prosecution and the defense) each of whom have a legal obligation to do whatever is in the best interest of their client, even if this means attempting to trap you into a lie or spin your involvement in the event to appear differently than the truth. Having an attorney of your own will help protect your interests throughout this experience.

What happens if you give inaccurate information to the court?

When you are a witness you will need to swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and the courts take that very seriously. Having an attorney with you can help ensure you are answering honestly so the courts don’t think you are lying or withholding information.