Leading Question Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Leading Question, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Leading Question?

(n) Leading question is the method of questioning by which a person is directed to answer them in the way expected by the questioner. eg. Attorney asking his witness the question, ‘it was raining when the incident occurs, isn’t it ? , the answer can be a clear ‘yes’ the expected answer. Leading questions to own witness are generally disallowed by the judges. Leading questions to opposite or hostile witness are generally permitted

History and Definition of Leading Question

A leading question is a type of question that contains hints about the desired answer or puts words in the respondent's mouth. The term "leading question" has been used for centuries and can be dated back to medieval times when leading questions were used in the English court of law. Leading questions are a common legal technique used by lawyers to guide witnesses to a particular answer while testifying in court proceedings.

In legal terms, a leading question is one that suggests the desired answer or puts words in a witness's mouth. This type of question is often used to obtain the answer that a lawyer is seeking, rather than the truth. Leading questions can also be asked unintentionally when an individual is unsure of the facts and is trying to lead the respondent towards a particular answer.

Examples of Leading Question

  1. "Isn't it true that you were present at the scene of the crime?"
  2. "You didn't see the defendant commit the crime, did you?"
  3. "Wouldn't you agree that the witness was unreliable?"
  4. "Don't you think it's a bad idea to trust the defendant?"

Legal Terms Similar to Leading Question

  1. Loaded question – a type of question that is designed to generate an emotional response rather than provide factual information.
  2. Misleading question – a type of question that is intentionally or unintentionally misleading and can lead to false answers.
  3. Open-ended question – a type of question that allows for a broad range of answers, rather than suggesting a particular response.