Witness

Definition

A Witness is a person who observed events and is called to testify concerning those events at a hearing.

Purpose

The purpose of a witness is to provide firsthand accounts and evidence of events or actions, contributing to the establishment of facts in legal proceedings.

Examples of Use

• Court Trials: Witnesses provide testimony about what they observed related to the case.
• Depositions: Giving sworn out-of-court testimony used to gather information before a trial.
• Arbitration: Testifying in a formal dispute resolution process outside of courts.

Related Terms

• Testimony: The statement a witness gives under oath.
• Deposition: Sworn, out-of-court testimony used to gather information.
• Subpoena: A legal document ordering someone to attend court as a witness.

Notes

Witness credibility and reliability are critical in legal proceedings. Cross-examination by opposing counsel is a common method to assess the accuracy and truthfulness of a witness's testimony.