Objections

Question 1

Nonresponsive

(Important)

Answer 1

Witness’s answer can be stricken as nonresponsive if it goes beyond scope of the specific question that was asked.
* Look for YES OR NO questions where witness doesn’t answer just yes or no. Any additional testimony may be excluded as nonresponsive.

CEC: Motion to strike nonresponsive answer can be made by counsel for either party.

Question 2

Speculation

Answer 2

Attorney cannot ask a witness to speculate or hypothesize about the existence or meaning of a fact
* Testimony must be based on witness’s personal knowledge, not on conjecture.

Question 3

Leading Questions

Answer 3

Leading questions suggests the answer to the witness in the question itself.
* Allowed on cross-examination
* Generally NOT allowed on direct examination

Question 4

Scope of Cross-Examination

Answer 4

Cross-examination is limited to:
* (i) matters raised during direct examination and inferences from those matters
* (ii) matters concerning credibility of witness (impeachment)