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Simple English definitions for legal terms
pass the witness
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A quick definition of pass the witness:
Pass the witness: When people are in a courtroom, they ask questions to find out what happened. When one person finishes asking questions, they say "pass the witness" to let the other person start asking questions. It's like passing a ball in a game.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Pass the witness is a phrase used in a courtroom by a lawyer to indicate the end of their questioning and the beginning of the other side's questioning. It is also known as "take the witness" or "your witness".
- Lawyer 1: "Your honor, I have no further questions for this witness."
- Judge: "Very well. Lawyer 2, you may now pass the witness."
- Lawyer 2: "Thank you, your honor. Witness, can you please describe what you saw on the night of the incident?"
In this example, Lawyer 1 has finished questioning the witness and passes the witness to Lawyer 2, who then begins their questioning.
- Lawyer 1: "Your honor, I have no further questions for this witness."
- Judge: "Very well. Does the defense have any questions for this witness?"
- Lawyer 2: "Yes, your honor. Witness, can you please describe your relationship with the defendant?"
In this example, instead of using the phrase "pass the witness", the judge prompts the other side to begin their questioning by asking if they have any questions for the witness.