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Simple English definitions for legal terms

leading

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A quick definition of leading:

Leading: When a lawyer asks a question in a way that suggests the answer they want to hear, it is called leading. This is not allowed if the witness is on the same side as the lawyer. However, it is allowed if the witness is against the lawyer or if they are being cross-examined by the opposing lawyer. A leading question is one that gives the answer in the question itself.

A more thorough explanation:

Definition:

  1. Verb: Short for "leading the witness." It refers to the act of an attorney during a trial or deposition asking questions in a way that puts words in the mouth of the witness or suggests the answer. This is considered improper if the attorney is questioning a witness called by that attorney and presumably friendly to the attorney's side of the case. If the opposing attorney objects that a question is "leading," the judge will uphold the objection and prohibit the question in that form. However, leading questions are permissible in cross-examination of a witness called by the other party or if the witness is found to be hostile or adverse to the position of the attorney conducting the questioning.
  2. Adjective: Referring to a question asked of a witness that suggests the answer.

Examples:

  • Verb: The defense attorney asked the witness, "Isn't it true that you saw my client at the scene of the crime?" This is an example of a leading question because it suggests the answer and puts words in the mouth of the witness.
  • Adjective: The prosecutor asked a leading question when he said, "You saw the defendant with the murder weapon, didn't you?" This question suggests the answer and is therefore leading.

These examples illustrate how leading questions can be improper and can influence the witness to give a certain answer. It is important for attorneys to avoid leading questions when questioning their own witnesses and to only use them in certain circumstances during cross-examination or with hostile witnesses.

law book | leading the witness

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MIAMI A
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:55
How does one know if they are UR1 or UR2?
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:56
CONGRATS MACAQUE!
TY
got a random stanford email and almost had a heart attack
ALSO CONGRATS!
Congrats1!
21:15
Miami A, yall I'm so excited I could cry.
21:15
Feel like I can finally stop holding my breath!! Whew!!!
[] baddestbunny
22:16
every time I get accosted by a strange man who follows me around because my male coworkers were too busy talking to walk me back to my car I get closer to saying we need to bring back traditional gender roles
Dkk
22:32
Nice! @Macaque
Dkk
22:32
@Aromatic, Have to guess.
Dkk
22:33
That sucks @Bunny do you have to go to the hospital?
[] baddestbunny
22:40
I said accosted not assaulted
23:35
guys. my notre dame address just went long is this good or bad
1a2b3c4d26z
23:37
Oooooo me too
23:37
omg is this good or bad
Dkk
23:47
Idk if gender roles are gunna fix that then.
23:49
it looks like most people who applied in october last cycle didn't get a decision until january... does it even mean anything that our addresses went long??
hows ED 2 compared to ED 1?
Dkk
0:10
No idea
windyMagician
0:34
reporting live to say my ndls address also went long
does it mean anything ^
Dkk
2:21
NDLS and Fordham took a very long time last year. It's good info for people to know.
[] baddestbunny
4:29
let’s get after it boys and girls
Dkk
5:21
I gtg to bed soon.
Dkk
5:22
Big day today. Gunna be a crazy one. I will sleep through the first half.
good morning lsd it is 5 am EST
also jazzy my ndls address went long ages ago i sadly do not think it means anything
my stanford address also went long LOL i think at most it's an indicator it's under review
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