Warning
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Warning
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Simple English definitions for legal terms
impeachment of a witness
Read a random definition: Court of Appeals, U.S.
A quick definition of impeachment of a witness:
Impeachment of a witness is when someone tries to show that a person who is testifying in court is not telling the truth. This can happen when the person's story doesn't match up with other evidence or when they have a reason to lie. Lawyers might ask questions or show evidence to try to make the jury think the witness is not trustworthy. This is a common thing that happens in trials.
A more thorough explanation:
Impeachment of a witness is when a lawyer tries to show that a witness is not telling the truth or is not reliable. This is done by presenting evidence or asking questions that contradict what the witness said or show that the witness has a bias or has lied before.
For example, if a witness says they saw a car accident happen at 3:00 PM, but another witness says they saw the same accident happen at 2:30 PM, the first witness's credibility may be impeached. Another example is if a witness has a criminal record, a lawyer may use that information to show that the witness is not trustworthy.
Impeachment of a witness is a common strategy used by lawyers to challenge the truthfulness of a witness's testimony. It is important because the credibility of a witness can greatly affect the outcome of a trial.