Hostile Witness - English Definition & Meaning

Definition

A 'hostile witness,' in legal terms, is a witness who demonstrates antagonism or unwillingness to cooperate with the party that called them to testify. They may give evasive answers, contradict prior statements, or exhibit outright hostility towards the questioning attorney. Think of it as calling someone to your team, but they're secretly working for the other side. Because of their uncooperative behavior, the attorney who called them is allowed to cross-examine them, treating them as if they were called by the opposing party. 😠 It's a challenging situation in a trial!

Etymology

'Hostile' originates from the Latin word 'hostilis,' meaning 'of an enemy' or 'unfriendly.' 'Witness' comes from the Old English 'witnes,' derived from 'witan,' meaning 'to know.' So, a hostile witness is literally an 'unfriendly knower' of information relevant to the case. The term highlights the adversarial nature of the legal system.

Related Words

Examples

• "The prosecutor declared the witness hostile after he refused to answer simple questions."
• "The lawyer had to request the judge to declare the witness hostile so she could begin cross-examination."
• "The hostile witness's demeanor made it clear he was not on the side of the defense."
• "Despite being subpoenaed by the plaintiff, the witness acted hostile, undermining their case."

Encouragement

Understanding the concept of a hostile witness can deepen your understanding of legal dramas and the adversarial nature of the justice system. Pay attention to how lawyers navigate these tricky situations; it's a great lesson in critical thinking! 🤔

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