Witness facts for kids

A witness is a person who sees something happen. They often share what they know in a court to help everyone understand the truth. During a trial, lawyers bring in witnesses to support their side of the story.

What is a Witness?

A witness is someone who has seen or heard something important. This information can be very helpful in legal cases. Witnesses tell what they know to help a judge or jury make a fair decision.

Witnesses in a Trial

In a trial, two sides present their arguments. Each side tries to show why their view is correct. They do this by calling witnesses to speak.

• For the Accusation: One lawyer might call people who saw an event. These witnesses explain what they observed. Their goal is to show what happened and who was involved.
• For the Defense: The other lawyer will also call witnesses. These might include the person accused of something. They also bring others who can explain why the accused person is not responsible.

Asking Questions: Cross-Examination

When a lawyer calls a witness, the other lawyer gets to ask questions too. This is called cross-examination. The goal is to make sure the witness is telling the whole truth. It also helps to check if their memory is accurate.

Telling the Truth

Witnesses must promise to tell the truth in court. This promise is often made by taking an oath. If a witness lies while under oath, it is a serious crime called perjury.

Being Called to Court

Sometimes, a witness might receive a special order called a subpoena. This is a legal paper that requires them to come to court. If a person gets a subpoena, they must go and share what they know. Not showing up after getting a subpoena can lead to penalties.