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Simple English definitions for legal terms
interested witness
Read a random definition: capital case
A quick definition of interested witness:
An interested witness is someone who has a personal interest in the outcome of a case. This means that they will be affected by the decision that is made. For example, if someone is accused of a crime, they are an interested witness because they have a personal interest in whether they are found guilty or not. In some cases, the judge may tell the jury to consider the witness's interest when deciding whether to believe their testimony.
A more thorough explanation:
An interested witness is someone who has a personal interest in the outcome of a legal case. This means that they will be affected by the decision that is made in the case. For example, a defendant in a criminal trial is an interested witness because they have a personal interest in the outcome of the trial.
In some cases, the judge may tell the jury to consider the interest that a witness has in the outcome of the case when deciding whether to believe their testimony. This is because a witness who has a personal interest in the case may be more likely to lie or exaggerate in order to get the outcome they want.
For example, if a witness is testifying in a case where they are suing someone for money, the jury may be more skeptical of their testimony because they have a financial interest in the outcome of the case.