What is hostile witness? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of hostile witness in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of hostile witness

hostile witnessnoun
nhân chứng thù địch
/ˌhɒstaɪl ˈwɪtnəs//ˌhɑːstl ˈwɪtnəs/

Where does the word hostile witness come from?

The term "hostile witness" originated in the legal context to describe a person who gives evidence against the interests of the party who has called them to testify. The term "hostile" in this sense does not indicate a negative character trait but rather refers to the witness's apparent animosity or unfavorable attitude towards the party who has called them. In a legal trial, a witness is classified as "hostile" when their testimony becomes antagonistic to the party who called them during cross-examination by the opposing counsel. This classification is significant as the calling party is then restricted in their ability to organize or lead their witness's testimony. Instead, they are permitted to ask only questions seeking clarifications or confirmation of the evidence presented rather than arguments or opinions (as per the leading evidence rule). The hostile witness's testimony can then be challenged or refuted by the opposing party through the use of their own witnesses, documents, or relevant evidence. Overall, the term "hostile witness" underlines the challenges that a calling party may face during a legal trial when a called person turns against their interests, requiring the party to be diligent and assertive in their handling of cross-examination and evidence.

Example of vocabulary hostile witnessnamespace

The defense called the plaintiff's ex-spouse as a hostile witness, as they have a contentious history and the attorney anticipated difficult cross-examination.
The witness's defensive demeanor and evasive answers made it clear that they were a hostile witness for the prosecution.
The defendant was frustrated when the police officer testified as a hostile witness, denying their version of the events that led to the arrest.
The defense attorney found themselves in a heated exchange with the prosecution's hostile witness, who seemed determined to damage their case.
The judge warned counsel to treat the witness with respect, despite their apparent hostility, as the trial's outcome could depend on their testimony.