Definition

1. Noun:
   • A legal procedure in court: "redirect examination" is the questioning of a witness by the party who originally called that witness to testify, conducted after the witness has been cross-examined by the opposing party. Its purpose is to clarify, explain, or rebut matters raised during the cross-examination.

Usage

• In a legal context: This term is used almost exclusively in formal legal settings, such as trials or hearings. It follows the cross-examination and precedes any re-cross-examination by the opposing side.
• Purpose: The attorney conducting the redirect examination aims to rehabilitate the witness's credibility or clarify any confusing or damaging points that emerged during cross-examination. Questions are typically limited to the scope of the cross-examination.

Examples

• Noun:
  • After a tough cross-examination, the defense attorney requested a redirect examination to clarify her client's earlier statements.
  • The judge allowed a brief redirect examination so the prosecutor could address the new issue raised by the defense.

Advanced Usage

• "To conduct a redirect examination": The formal act of carrying out this phase of witness questioning.
  • Counsel, you may now conduct your redirect examination.
• Scope Limitation: In many jurisdictions, questions during redirect must pertain directly to subjects covered in the cross-examination. Introducing entirely new topics may require the court's permission or be reserved for the attorney's main case.

Variants and Related Words

• Redirect (n, informal): A common shortened form of "redirect examination" used among legal professionals.
  • Your honor, we have no redirect at this time.
• Re-direct (v): The act of asking questions during this phase.
  • The attorney will re-direct the witness on that point.
• Rehabilitation (n, legal): A key goal of redirect examination; the process of restoring a witness's credibility.
• Cross-examination (n): The questioning of a witness by the opposing party, which precedes the redirect.
• Re-cross-examination (n): Questioning by the opposing party that may follow the redirect examination.

Synonyms

• Re-examination: A more general term that can be synonymous with redirect examination, though it may also refer to a broader re-questioning.
• Follow-up questioning: A descriptive, non-legal synonym.

Related Phrases

• "To ask on redirect": To pose a question during the redirect examination phase.
  • I need to ask him about that timeline on redirect.
• "Limited to the scope of cross": A common judicial ruling that confines the redirect examination to topics addressed during cross-examination.

Noun

1. (law) questioning of a witness by the party that called the witness after that witness has been subject to cross-examination