What is a characteristic of a leading question in court?

A leading question is characterized by its structure, which suggests a particular answer to the witness. This type of question is often framed in a way that implies the answer sought, making it easier for the questioner to elicit a specific response from the witness. For example, asking "You saw the defendant at the scene of the crime, didn't you?" presupposes that the witness did indeed see the defendant, guiding the witness toward that affirmative response.

In legal contexts, leading questions are typically used during cross-examination, where the questioning party aims to focus the witness on a specific narrative or element of the case, often to challenge the credibility of their testimony or to bring out inconsistencies. This characteristic is crucial for understanding how leading questions function within the larger framework of courtroom procedures and the strategic approaches employed by attorneys during trials.