Direct examination

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Evidence

Part of the common law series
Types of evidence
Testimony · Documentary Physical / Real · Digital Exculpatory · Scientific Demonstrative Eyewitness identification Genetic (DNA) · Lies
Relevance
Burden of proof · Laying a foundation Public policy exclusions Character · Habit · Similar fact
Authentication
Chain of custody Judicial notice · Best evidence rule Self-authenticating document Ancient document
Witnesses
Competence · Privilege Direct examination · Cross-examination · Redirect Impeachment · Recorded recollection Expert witness · Dead Man's Statute
Hearsay and exceptions
in English law · in United States law Confessions · Business records Excited utterance · Dying declaration Party admission · Ancient document Declaration against interest Present sense impression · Res gestae Learned treatise · Implied assertion
Other common law areas
Contract · Tort · Property Wills, trusts and estates Criminal law
v • d • e

The Direct Examination or Examination-in-Chief is one stage in the process of adducing evidence from witnesses in a court of law. Direct examination is the questioning of a witness by the party who called him or her, in a trial. Direct examination is usually performed to elicit evidence in support of facts which will satisfy a required element of a party's claim or defense.

In direct examination, one is generally prohibited from asking leading questions. This prevents a lawyer from feeding answers to a favorable witness. An exception to this rule occurs if one side has called a witness, but it is either understood, or soon becomes plain, that the witness is hostile to the questioner's side of the controversy. The lawyer may then ask the court to declare the person he or she has called to the stand a hostile witness. If the court does so, the lawyer may thereafter ply the witness with leading questions during direct examination.

Direct examination

See also