Legal Definitions - direct question

A direct question is a query posed to a witness, party, or individual that seeks specific information without suggesting the desired answer or leading the person being questioned. Its primary purpose is to elicit facts, details, or an account in a straightforward manner, allowing the individual to provide their own knowledge or perspective without influence from the questioner.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a direct question:

• Example 1: In a Courtroom Setting

  During a trial, a prosecutor asks their own witness, "What did you observe at the scene of the accident?"

  This is a direct question because it asks the witness to describe their observations without providing any hints about what they should have seen or leading them towards a particular answer. It allows the witness to recount the facts as they recall them.

• Example 2: During a Deposition

  An attorney conducting a deposition asks the deponent, "When did you first become aware of the company's new policy regarding remote work?"

  This question directly seeks a specific piece of information—a date or timeframe—without suggesting a particular answer or implying that the deponent should have known at a certain point. It aims to establish a factual timeline based on the deponent's knowledge.

• Example 3: In a Client Interview

  A lawyer interviewing a new client asks, "Could you please describe, in your own words, the events that led to your dispute with your landlord?"

  This is a direct question designed to gather the client's full narrative of events. It does not prompt the client with specific details or suggest blame, but rather invites them to provide a comprehensive and uninfluenced account of the situation.