Legal Definitions - Redirect examination

Redirect examination is a phase in a trial where the attorney who initially called a witness to testify has an opportunity to ask them additional questions. This occurs after the opposing attorney has completed their cross-examination of that witness. The main purpose of redirect examination is to clarify any points that may have become unclear, address new information introduced, or restore the witness's credibility following challenges made during cross-examination.

• Example 1: Clarifying Ambiguity

  In a personal injury lawsuit, a witness testifies for the plaintiff that they saw the defendant's car speeding. During cross-examination, the defendant's attorney questions the witness's ability to accurately judge speed from their vantage point, suggesting their view was partially obstructed by a tree. On redirect examination, the plaintiff's attorney asks the witness to describe the specific moments when the car was visible and the clear line of sight they had, clarifying that despite the tree, they had ample opportunity to observe the vehicle's excessive speed and that their judgment was reliable.

• Example 2: Restoring Credibility

  During a criminal trial, a prosecution witness testifies about seeing the defendant at the crime scene. On cross-examination, the defense attorney brings up a past misdemeanor conviction of the witness for shoplifting, implying they are untrustworthy. On redirect examination, the prosecutor asks the witness to explain the circumstances of that past conviction, perhaps revealing it was a minor youthful mistake from many years ago for which they completed their sentence, thereby attempting to show it has no bearing on their current honesty or ability to recall events accurately.

• Example 3: Providing Full Context

  In a contract dispute, a witness for the plaintiff testifies about a phone conversation with the defendant. During cross-examination, the defendant's attorney quotes a single sentence from that conversation, making it sound as if the plaintiff agreed to a disadvantageous term. On redirect examination, the plaintiff's attorney asks the witness to recount the entire exchange leading up to and following that specific sentence, demonstrating that the isolated quote was taken out of context and the full conversation actually supported the plaintiff's position, not the defendant's.