DIRECT EXAMINATION

The questioning of a witness by the party calling the witness in order to establish a foundation for a position or fact. During direct examination, the attorney who called the witness will ask specific questions which allow the witness to testify, in his or her own words, about something in order to establish the existence or non-existence of something. Leading questions may not be asked. For example, an attorney may ask during direct examination the following questions: Where were you at 1PM on Tuesday? What did you see happen? Cross examination is when the opposing party examines the witness and during which leading questions may be asked.