Which statement best describes direct examination in court?

• A. Direct examination is conducted by the party who called the witness and uses open-ended questions to elicit the witness’s own testimony.
• B. Direct examination is conducted by the opposing party and uses leading questions to control the testimony.
• C. The judge conducts the direct examination using only yes-or-no questions.
• D. The witness may only answer with a single word during direct examination.

Answer: (A)

Direct examination is the phase where the party who called the witness questions them to elicit their own testimony in their own words. The goal is to have the witness describe events, facts, and perceptions openly, so open-ended questions—who, what, where, when, how, and why—are used rather than questions that suggest a particular answer. This approach helps the jury hear the witness’s own account and assess credibility. It’s not conducted by the opposing party—that would be cross-examination—where the examiner typically uses more control over the testimony and may use leading questions. The judge is present to oversee fairness and may ask clarifying questions, but does not conduct direct examination. Statements that limit answers to yes-or-no or a single word don’t fit the purpose of direct examination, which seeks fuller responses and a narrative account from the witness.