Cross examination is defined as which of the following?

• A. The questioning of a witness by the opposing side, prior to direct examination.
• B. The questioning of a witness by the attorney for the opposing side, following the direct examination.
• C. A jury's evaluation of witness credibility in private.
• D. An impeachment procedure used by the defense.

Answer: (B)

Cross-examination is the questioning of a witness by the opposing side after direct examination. This stage lets the other counsel test the witness’s memory, credibility, and consistency by asking questions, often leading questions, to reveal contradictions or weaknesses in the testimony. It happens openly in court and is about scrutinizing what was said during direct examination, not about jury deliberations. While impeachment of a witness can occur during cross-examination by challenging prior statements or bias, cross-examination itself is broader than impeachment alone. The other options place questioning before direct examination, describe private jury evaluation, or define impeachment in isolation, which don’t fit how cross-examination operates in practice.