Under the hostile witness rule, when may examination in chief resemble cross-examination?

Under the hostile witness rule, when may examination in chief resemble cross-examination?

• A. It becomes a direct examination only
• B. It may resemble cross-examination to the extent of allowing leading questions
• C. It becomes impossible
• D. It requires the judge to intervene

Answer: (B)

When a witness is hostile to the party calling them, the rules allow treating the examination in chief more like cross-examination. The key idea is that hostile witnesses can be asked leading questions on direct examination to control the testimony, confront bias, and bring out information efficiently. Because leading questions are a hallmark of cross-examination, the examination in chief may resemble cross-examination to the extent that those leading questions are permitted. It isn’t required to stay strictly as direct examination, it isn’t impossible, and it doesn’t demand the judge’s constant intervention—though a ruling declaring hostility can trigger this approach. That’s why the best choice is that leading questions may be allowed, shaping the examination in chief to resemble cross-examination when the witness is hostile.

When a witness is hostile to the party calling them, the rules allow treating the examination in chief more like cross-examination. The key idea is that hostile witnesses can be asked leading questions on direct examination to control the testimony, confront bias, and bring out information efficiently. Because leading questions are a hallmark of cross-examination, the examination in chief may resemble cross-examination to the extent that those leading questions are permitted. It isn’t required to stay strictly as direct examination, it isn’t impossible, and it doesn’t demand the judge’s constant intervention—though a ruling declaring hostility can trigger this approach. That’s why the best choice is that leading questions may be allowed, shaping the examination in chief to resemble cross-examination when the witness is hostile.