Can an attorney ask leading questions when questioning an opposing party?
Asked by: Dewitt Kihn | Last update: July 26, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (26 votes)
In general, leading questions are not allowed during the
Can opposing counsel ask leading questions?
The comment to Section 767(a) also allows leading questions on direct examination for “refreshing recollection, and examining handicapped witnesses, expert witnesses, and hostile witnesses.” When calling an expert, then, the California evidence rules do not require that a lawyer refrain from asking leading questions.
Who is allowed to ask leading questions?
An examiner may generally ask leading questions of a hostile witness or on cross-examination ("Will help to elicit the testimony of a witness who, due to age, incapacity, or limited intelligence, is having difficulty communicating their evidence"), but not on direct examination (to "coach" the witness to provide a ...
Under what circumstances is it permissible to ask a leading question?
The court shall permit leading questions to be asked in the examination-in-chief or re-examination in respect of matters which are of introductory or undisputed nature or which matters in the opinion of the court have already been sufficiently proved.
Why can't lawyers ask leading questions?
Leading questions destroy the evidentiary value of witness testimony because they tell the witness what you are trying to get them to say. They purposely betray the lawyer's desired answer and prompt the witness as to where the lawyer is going with his line of questioning.
What Are Open-Ended Questions and Leading Questions? Differences in Open-Ended vs. Leading Questions
Are you allowed to ask leading questions?
(1) A party may put a leading question to a witness in cross-examination unless the court disallows the question or directs the witness not to answer it. (d) the witness's age, or any mental, intellectual or physical disability to which the witness is subject, may affect the witness's answers.
In which of the following situations is an attorney allowed to ask a leading question?
Rule 611(c) of the Federal Rules of Evidence , lists the situations in which leading questions are appropriate, which include on cross-examination, when dealing with preliminary matters, when there is difficulty eliciting testimony from a witness, and when a hostile or adverse witness is being questioned.
What is the rule on leading questions?
(1) Leading questions should not be used on the direct examina- tion of a witness except as may be necessary to develop the witness' testimony. (2) Ordinarily leading questions should be permitted on cross- examination.
When should you avoid leading questions?
If the question is written in a way that sways the respondent to one side or another, they cannot answer it 100% truthfully. For this reason, you should avoid using leading questions in surveys.
What could be a problem with asking leading questions?
Asking leading questions can do far more harm than good for your survey program. In fact, asking them in your feedback surveys might not only return unhelpful responses, but could also produce misleading or untrue results. Results that, should you take action on, could lead to some detrimental business outcomes.
What is an example of a leading question in law?
“Did you see Michael at 3 p.m.?” would qualify, under most circumstances, as a leading question; it plants the suggestion of the corresponding time period in the subject's mind. Eyewitness testimony is often unreliable, as it is prone to unclear recollections, false memories, and personal subjectivity.
How to avoid leading questions in court?
Sometimes leading questions on direct are proper, such as when dealing with an adverse witness or laying an evidentiary foundation. But normally they're not. The easiest way to avoid leading is to begin your questions with the letter "W."
What are five exceptions to the rule prohibiting leading questions on direct examination?
Five exceptions to the rule prohibiting leading questions direct examination are questioning (1) with respect to undisputed preliminary or inconsequential maters; (2) when a witness is hostile, unwilling, frightened, or biased; (3) with respect to a child or adult witness who has difficulty communicating; (4) a witness ...
How do you deal with a nasty opposing counsel?
- Point out Common Ground. ...
- Don't be Afraid to Ask Why. ...
- Separate the Person from the Problem. ...
- Focus on your Interests. ...
- Don't Fall for your Assumptions. ...
- Take a Calculated Approach. ...
- Control the Conversation by Reframing. ...
- Pick up the Phone.
What is an example of prejudicial evidence?
Real-Life Example
Consider a criminal trial where the prosecution wants to introduce evidence that the defendant has a prior criminal record. While this evidence may be relevant to the case, it could unduly influence the jury to convict the defendant based on their past rather than the facts of the current case.
Can opposing lawyers talk to each other?
Importantly, the Model Rules do not prohibit a lawyer from talking to opposing counsel.
What are the dangers of leading questions?
It is important to phrase questions as neutrally as possible. Leading questions are phrased in a way that prompts or suggests a particular answer and have been shown to reduce the accuracy of witnesses' accounts.
Why shouldn't you ask leading questions?
Leading questions influence the way in which respondents takes up the issues. They eliminate other possible directions respondents could take.
When should leading questions be asked?
Evid. 611(c). Thus, Rule 611 allows for the use of leading questions during direct examination when (1) they are “necessary to develop the witness's testimony” and (2) when the party calls a hostile witness, an adverse party, or a witness identified with an adverse party.
Why avoid leading questions?
Leading questions, which prompt or encourage specific answers, can introduce bias, compromise data quality, and reduce the authenticity of responses. They can take various forms, including assumptive, choice-based, suggestive, yes/no, tag, confirmation, presupposition, negative, and embedded command questions.
What is the objection for leading questions?
Leading question
If the other party poses a question on direct examination that leads the witness to a certain answer, then you can object to the question as leading. This is usually the case with “yes” or “no” questions.
What is a lack of foundation objection?
An objection based on lack of foundation usually means that the evidence or document lacks authentication, identification, logical relevance, or legal relevance.
What questions are lawyers allowed to ask?
- Can you describe the defendant's demeanor on the day of the incident?
- Did the defendant seem intoxicated or under the influence of drugs?
- What was the defendant wearing at the time?
What are 3 different ethical rules that lawyers must follow?
Attorneys must either avoid conflicts of interest with their clients or deal with them appropriately when they arise. In addition, they must conform to legal requirements, use legal procedures only for legitimate purposes, and demonstrate respect for the legal system.
What is the leading rule for the lawyer?
The leading rule for the lawyer, as for the man of every other calling, is diligence. Leave nothing for to-morrow which can be done to-day. Never let your correspondence fall behind. Whatever piece of business you have in hand, before stopping, do all the labor pertaining to it which can then be done.