What is the term for questioning a witness that a party calls as their own?

Direct examination refers to the process in which a party questions their own witness to elicit testimony that supports their case. This phase is critical during legal proceedings because it allows the party to present facts and evidence through the witness's testimony without the influence of opposing counsel's questioning.

During direct examination, the attorney asks open-ended questions that encourage the witness to provide detailed responses, helping to build a narrative or establish key points relevant to the case. This differs from cross-examination, where the opposing party questions the witness in a more challenging manner to test the credibility of their testimony or uncover inconsistencies.

Understanding the distinction is essential, as it sets the initial stage for presenting evidence before any contradictions or challenges are introduced during cross-examination. The other options involve different legal terms and processes that do not specifically address the questioning of a party's own witness.