Examination

Examination is also referred to as Direct Examination and Examination-in-Chief. It is the first questioning of a witness at a trial, hearing or deposition conducted by the side who called the witness to testify. Direct examination is followed by cross examination by the other side. Then each side in turn may ask follow-up questions, called redirect examination and recross-examination respectively, alternating back and forth until both sides run out of questions. An attorney conducting a direct examination is limited to asking non-leading questions. Leading questions are disallowed under direct examination to insure that the testimony will come in the witness's own words.