OSH Security Practice Test 2025 - Free OSH Security Practice Questions and Study Guide

The term used when the defense attorney wants to question a witness for the prosecution (crown witness) during a trial is known as cross-examination. This phase allows the defense to challenge the credibility and reliability of the witness's testimony, often revealing any inconsistencies or biases in their account.

Cross-examination is a critical part of the adversarial system as it helps ensure that the jury receives a balanced perspective of the evidence by allowing for scrutiny of the prosecution's witnesses. It often involves leading questions that suggest a particular answer, enabling the defense to highlight aspects that might work in favor of the defendant.

In contrast, examination in chief refers to the initial questioning of a witness by the party that called them, while direct examination is essentially the same concept. Re-direct is the follow-up questioning after cross-examination, allowing the initial party to clarify or expand on the testimony presented.