what is a cross examination

Cross-examination is a legal term that refers to the interrogation of a witness by the opposing party during a trial. It follows the direct examination and may be followed by a redirect examination. During cross-examination, the opposing party can question the witness on matters raised during direct examination, and the attorney conducting the cross-examination may not ask questions outside the scope of the direct examination. The purpose of cross-examination is to test the credibility of the witness and the truth of their testimony. Cross-examination can be used to point out weaknesses in a witnesss testimony, such as holes in their story or a lack of credibility. Effective cross-examination can change the opinions of a jury or judge and win trials. Cross-examination is a key component of a trial and is given substantial attention during courses on trial advocacy.