A leading question is a question asked of a witness by an attorney during a trial or a deposition which suggests a desired answer or puts words in the mouth of the witness. Such a question is often the basis for an objection by an opposing attorney. Leading questions may not be asked of a party's own witness. A leading question is permitted only when directed to a witness of the opposing party to the lawsuit or to a "hostile witness" during cross-examination.
An example of an improper leading question is: "Didn't the defendant appear to you to be speeding?" The proper question would be: "How fast did the defendant appear to be going?"
