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witness legal definition
noun
verb
- A person who gives testimony under oath and penalty of perjury in a court of law
- To observe the execution of a legal document and to authenticate it by affixing oneÂ’s name to it.
adverse witness
See hostile
witness.
character witness
One who testifies to the reputation of another as a reliable,
reputable member of the community. Character witnesses may be used to support
or impugn the testimony of a key party.
expert witness
See expert.
hostile witness
One whose adverse relationship to a party may prejudice his or
her testimony against that party. A person declared to be a hostile witness may
be asked leading questions and may be cross-examined by the party who called
him or her.
lay witness
A witness other than an expert witness.
material witness
A witness called to testify about an important or essential
matter, or a matter having a logical and necessary connection to the facts
under consideration.
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