Legal Definitions - compound question

A compound question is a single question asked during a legal proceeding, such as a trial or deposition, that actually contains two or more separate inquiries embedded within it. This type of question is generally not allowed because it can easily confuse a witness, making it difficult for them to provide a clear and accurate answer to each part. It also makes it challenging for the court reporter to record a precise response and for the judge or jury to understand which specific part of the question the witness is answering.

If an attorney objects to a compound question, and the judge agrees that it is confusing, the attorney who asked the question must then rephrase it into separate, distinct inquiries.

Here are some examples illustrating a compound question:

• Example 1: An attorney asks a witness, "Did you see the defendant pick up the package and then place it in the unmarked van?"

  Explanation: This is a compound question because it asks two distinct things: (1) Did the witness see the defendant pick up the package? and (2) Did the witness see the defendant place it in the unmarked van? A witness might have seen one action but not the other, or might have seen both but wants to clarify details about each. A simple "yes" or "no" answer would be ambiguous and could misrepresent the witness's full knowledge.

• Example 2: During a deposition, a lawyer asks, "Were you aware of the safety regulations for operating that machinery, and did you receive proper training on them?"

  Explanation: This question combines an inquiry about the witness's knowledge ("Were you aware of the safety regulations?") with an inquiry about their experience ("did you receive proper training?"). The witness might have been aware of the regulations through other means but never received formal training, or vice-versa. A single answer would not accurately reflect their situation regarding both awareness and training.

• Example 3: In a cross-examination, an attorney asks, "After you left the meeting, did you immediately contact your supervisor and then delete the relevant files from your computer?"

  Explanation: This question presents a sequence of three potential actions: (1) leaving the meeting, (2) immediately contacting a supervisor, and (3) deleting files. The witness might have contacted their supervisor but not immediately, or deleted files but not after contacting the supervisor, or done neither. A single "yes" or "no" answer would be misleading about the actual timeline and actions taken.