Legal Definitions - On the stand

To be on the stand means to be actively giving testimony as a witness in a courtroom during a legal proceeding, most commonly a trial. When a person is "on the stand," they are typically seated in a designated area known as the witness stand, where they answer questions under oath from attorneys and sometimes the judge.

Here are a few examples to illustrate this term:

• Imagine a high-profile criminal trial where an eyewitness claims to have seen the defendant at the scene of the crime. When this eyewitness is called to recount what they observed, they will sit in the designated area and answer questions from the prosecution and defense attorneys. At that moment, the eyewitness is considered to be on the stand, providing their testimony to the court.

• Consider a civil lawsuit involving a complex medical malpractice claim. A medical expert, such as a surgeon, might be called to explain intricate surgical procedures and potential errors to the jury. As this expert sits in the witness stand, offering their professional opinion and answering questions about medical standards of care, they are on the stand, providing specialized testimony to help the court understand the technical details of the case.

• In a contentious divorce case involving child custody, one of the parents might be required to testify about their living situation, parenting abilities, and proposed care plan for the children. When this parent takes their place in the witness stand and answers questions from their own attorney and the opposing counsel, they are on the stand, presenting their case directly to the judge who will make the custody decision.