Leading the Witness Law and Legal Definition
Leading the witness is the method of questioning a witness by which s/he is directed to answer them in the way expected by the attorney. The query suggests to the witness how it is to be answered or puts words into the mouth of the witness. In such questioning the answers will be apparent in the questions itself. Leading questions should not be used on the direct examination of a witness unless necessary to develop the person's testimony. Leading questions are proper in cross-examination or allowed if a witness is declared by the judge to be a hostile or adverse witness.
