Hostile Witness definition: Copy, customize, and use instantly
Introduction
The term "Hostile Witness" refers to a witness in a legal proceeding whose testimony contradicts the expectations of the party who called them. It is essential for managing courtroom dynamics, determining credibility, and ensuring fair cross-examination.
Below are various examples of how "Hostile Witness" can be defined in different contexts. Copy the one that fits your needs, customize it, and use it in your legal contracts or documents.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as an uncooperative testifier
This definition explains the concept of a witness who refuses to cooperate with the party that called them, potentially affecting the case strategy.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness who, during their testimony, demonstrates unwillingness or opposition to cooperating with the party that called them.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a party with adverse interests
This highlights how a witness’s interests may directly conflict with those of the party calling them to testify.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness whose interests or testimony are contrary to those of the party that called them to testify.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness subject to cross-examination
This emphasizes the unique ability of the calling party to use cross-examination techniques on an uncooperative witness.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness who, due to their adverse stance, is subject to cross-examination by the party that called them.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as an adversarial party in testimony
This addresses the potential for a witness to act in favor of the opposing party rather than the one that summoned them.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness who provides testimony in favor of the opposing party or undermines the case of the party calling them.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness unwilling to cooperate
This underscores a witness’s reluctance to answer questions truthfully or fully cooperate during legal proceedings.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness who displays unwillingness to answer questions truthfully or fully cooperate during their testimony.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a court-designated classification
This highlights the formal declaration by a court that a witness is hostile, enabling special questioning rules.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness formally declared by the court as hostile due to their adverse behavior or testimony.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a reluctant or biased witness
This definition captures the potential for bias or reluctance in a witness called to support a case.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness who shows reluctance or bias, contradicting the interests of the party calling them.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness favorable to the opposition
This describes a situation where the witness’s testimony inadvertently supports the opposing side of the case.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness whose testimony aligns more closely with the arguments or interests of the opposing party.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a testifier requiring leading questions
This explains the procedural need to use leading questions to elicit truthful responses from a hostile witness.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness whose designation allows the questioning party to use leading questions during examination.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness contradicting prior statements
This highlights the significance of a witness providing testimony inconsistent with their prior statements.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness who provides testimony that contradicts their prior statements or written declarations.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as an adversarial witness
This definition ties "Hostile Witness" to the concept of a witness who directly opposes the party that has called them.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness whose testimony contradicts or challenges the position of the party that called them to testify.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness with biased testimony
This definition connects "Hostile Witness" to a witness whose testimony is colored by bias or personal interest.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness whose testimony is biased or adverse to the interests of the party calling them.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness who refuses to testify favorably
This definition emphasizes the situation where a witness is unwilling to testify in favor of the party that called them.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness who refuses to testify in a manner that supports the party that has called them, instead offering damaging or contradictory statements.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness challenging the credibility of the calling party
This ties "Hostile Witness" to situations where the witness actively undermines the credibility of the party that called them.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness who actively undermines the credibility or case of the party that called them to testify.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness providing inconsistent statements
This definition highlights a situation where the witness offers testimony that conflicts with earlier statements or evidence.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness whose testimony is inconsistent with prior statements or evidence, causing harm to the party that called them.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness with conflicting interests
This emphasizes a scenario where the witness has conflicting personal or professional interests that affect their testimony.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness whose personal or professional interests conflict with the position of the party that called them.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness showing active resistance during testimony
This definition links "Hostile Witness" to a witness who shows overt resistance during their examination in court.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness who exhibits active resistance during their testimony, hindering the questioning party's efforts to gather useful information.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness discrediting their own statements
This focuses on situations where the witness's own testimony undermines or contradicts their earlier statements or actions.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness whose testimony discredits their prior statements, weakening the case of the party that called them.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a difficult-to-cross-examine witness
This maximizes the difficulty of cross-examination due to the witness's resistance or evasiveness.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness who is difficult to cross-examine due to their resistance to answering questions or providing coherent testimony.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness under challenging cross-examination
This definition focuses on the legal concept of cross-examining a witness who is hostile and uncooperative.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness who is subject to challenging cross-examination due to their adverse or uncooperative behavior.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness denying prior statements
This highlights when a witness denies having made previous statements that support the opposing party's case.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness who denies or contradicts prior statements or admissions that were made under oath or in formal settings.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness damaging the calling party's case
This ties "Hostile Witness" to situations where the witness's testimony directly harms the calling party's position in the case.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness whose testimony damages or weakens the case of the party that called them to testify.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness with negative influence on the proceedings
This emphasizes the impact of a hostile witness on the overall legal proceedings.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness whose testimony or demeanor negatively influences the outcome of the legal proceedings.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness who refuses to answer questions
This definition ties "Hostile Witness" to a situation where the witness refuses to cooperate during questioning.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness who refuses to answer questions posed during direct examination or cross-examination.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness with an unpredictable demeanor
This connects "Hostile Witness" to a witness whose demeanor and responses are unpredictable and uncooperative.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness whose demeanor is unpredictable, making it difficult to establish their reliability or credibility.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness acting with antagonism toward the calling party
This connects "Hostile Witness" to situations where the witness displays open hostility or antagonism toward the calling party.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness who acts with antagonism or hostility toward the party that has called them to testify.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness whose credibility is under suspicion
This defines "Hostile Witness" in terms of the potential for their testimony to be called into question due to their behavior.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness whose credibility is under suspicion due to their contradictory or evasive answers during testimony.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness whose testimony is unfavorable but legally admissible
This focuses on when a witness's testimony is legally admissible but presents unfavorable information to the party that called them.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness whose testimony is legally admissible but works against the interests of the party that has called them to testify.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness who provides testimony inconsistent with documentary evidence
This highlights when a witness offers testimony that contradicts documented evidence.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness who provides testimony that contradicts or is inconsistent with existing documentary evidence.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness creating confusion in the case
This refers to a witness whose statements cause confusion or complicate the clarity of the case for the court.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness whose testimony creates confusion or ambiguity in the case, making it harder to reach a clear legal outcome.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness subject to impeachment
This ties "Hostile Witness" to the concept of impeaching the credibility of a witness during trial.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness who is subject to impeachment due to inconsistencies or untrustworthy testimony presented during the trial.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness refusing to cooperate with the party's legal team
This emphasizes a situation where a witness outright refuses to cooperate with the party’s legal representation.
"Hostile Witness" refers to a witness who refuses to cooperate with the legal team that called them, making their testimony unhelpful or contradictory.
Definition of "Hostile Witness" as a witness impeding the discovery of truth
This focuses on a witness whose actions or behavior impede the legal process of uncovering the truth.
"Hostile Witness" means a witness who impedes the discovery of truth through evasion, refusal to cooperate, or providing misleading statements.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Cobrief is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.