What is a hostile witness?

A hostile witness is a term used in legal proceedings to describe a witness who refuses to cooperate or provide information that is favorable to the party who called them to testify. This can occur for various reasons, such as the witness having a bias or personal interest in the outcome of the case, feeling threatened or intimidated, or simply not wanting to help the party who called them to testify.

In some cases, a hostile witness may be compelled to answer questions by the judge or face contempt of court charges. However, even when forced to testify, a hostile witness may still provide evasive or unhelpful answers. It is up to the attorneys in the case to try to challenge or discredit the testimony of a hostile witness through cross-examination and other legal tactics.

Overall, dealing with a hostile witness can complicate and prolong legal proceedings, as it can make it harder to uncover the truth and present a clear case to the court. It is important for attorneys to be prepared to handle hostile witnesses effectively in order to protect their client's interests.