cross-examination

/ˌkrɔsɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/

In a court of law, cross-examination is when a witness is questioned by the opposing attorney. The goal of cross-examination is to get the witness to say something useful to the other side's case.

In the United States, witnesses are first called by either the defense or prosecution, and their initial questioning is done by the attorney who called them. Cross-examination, an interrogation by the opposing side, has to be limited to subjects that were raised in that first direct examination. Sometimes cross-examination is followed by a redirect examination, when they are questioned again by their attorney.

Definitions of cross-examination

1. noun

   (law) close questioning of a hostile witness in a court of law to discredit or throw a new light on the testimony already provided in direct examination
   type of:

   examination, interrogation, interrogatory

   formal systematic questioning