Direct examination is conducted by which party?

• A. The opposing attorney who did not call the witness.
• B. The judge presiding over the case.
• C. The attorney who called the witness to the stand during a trial.
• D. The court reporter recording the proceedings.

Answer: (C)

Direct examination is the phase where the party who called the witness leads the witness through questions designed to elicit factual testimony in the witness’s own words. The goal is to present the witness’s account clearly and build the party’s case by introducing information they want the court and jury to consider. Questions are typically open-ended to avoid leading the witness, allowing detailed description of events, actions, and observations.

After this initial questioning, the opposing counsel usually performs cross-examination to test the accuracy, recollection, and impact of the witness’s testimony. The judge presides over the proceedings and may ask questions for clarification, but the direct examination itself is conducted by the attorney who called the witness. The court reporter’s role is to record everything said, not to question the witness.

So, the best answer is the attorney who brought the witness to the stand, since they are the ones conducting the direct examination.