In court, what does it mean to discredit a witness's testimony?

Prepare for the New York City Corrections Peace Officer Test. Review multiple choice questions with detailed explanations. Get equipped for your exam success!

Discrediting a witness's testimony involves challenging the credibility of the statements made by that witness. This can be achieved through various means, such as pointing out inconsistencies in their story, revealing biases or motives that may affect their reliability, or uncovering prior statements that contradict their current testimony. The goal is to undermine the trustworthiness of the witness in the eyes of the court, making it less likely that the judge or jury will accept their account as truthful or accurate.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of discrediting. Confirming a witness's statements would enhance rather than undermine their credibility. Providing an elaborate narrative may serve to elaborate on or clarify testimony but doesn’t address credibility. Introducing supporting evidence does the opposite of discrediting; it may reinforce a witness's testimony rather than challenge it.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy