What is the permissible scope of cross-examination regarding a witness's personal opinions and beliefs?

• A. It may not address the witness's opinions at all.
• B. It may probe credibility, bias, memory, and basis of opinions, and inquire about grounds for those opinions.
• C. It may only ask about the facts the witness testified to.
• D. It may force the witness to change their opinion.

Answer: (B)

Cross-examination may probe how a witness forms their personal opinions or beliefs, not just what they testified to. You can question their credibility and any bias or interest that might color those opinions, and you can explore the memory or perception underlying them. Importantly, you can ask about the grounds for the opinions—what facts or experiences support them and whether the witness has relied on other sources or explanations. This helps determine how reliable or trustworthy the opinion is.

You can see why this is the best choice: it captures the range of testing allowed—that you’re allowed to examine bias, credibility, memory, and the basis for opinions, rather than restrict control to mere recitation of facts. You cannot compel someone to change their opinion on cross-examination; the purpose is to test the opinion’s foundation, not to coerce a new belief. The other options are too limiting or inappropriate because they suggest restricting cross-examination to only facts or attempting to force a change in opinion.