What is the nature of Cross-Examination?

Cross-examination refers to the process where one party questions a witness called by the opposing party during a trial. The primary purpose of cross-examination is to challenge the credibility of the witness, test the reliability of their testimony, and extract information that may be favorable to the party conducting the cross-examination. It serves as a critical aspect of the adversarial legal system, allowing for the exploration of facts and the clarification of statements made during direct examination.

The other options do not accurately describe cross-examination. Questioning one's own witness pertains to direct examination, where a lawyer queries their own witness to establish facts supporting their case. Questioning the jury is not a process that occurs in standard court procedures, as jurors cannot be questioned about their thoughts or deliberations. Questioning the judge is also not part of the examination process; instead, judges preside over the trial and make rulings on evidence and procedural matters. Thus, the nature of cross-examination is specifically about questioning the witness brought forth by the opposing party.