Monday 8 April 2013

Collateral Evidence on Witness Credibility

Legal Definition for applications in the US are a bit different, but the idea remains the same:
A collateral matter is evidence solely affecting the credibility of a witness. While questioned about a collateral matter, the party cross examining the witness is bound by the witness's answer to matters solely affecting credibility. It precludes the cross examiner from calling other witnesses or producing documentary evidence to contradict the witness.