In law, what is meant by 'leading' in the context of questioning a witness?

In the context of questioning a witness, 'leading' refers to the technique of encouraging a specific response from the witness. This involves phrasing questions in such a way that they suggest a particular answer or alignment with the questioner's perspective. Leading questions typically contain the answer within them, guiding the witness to respond in a manner that supports the questioning party's argument. This type of questioning is often restricted or scrutinized in court settings because it can influence the testimony being given, as opposed to allowing the witness to provide their own independent account of events.

The emphasis on how leading questions can shape responses highlights their potential to manipulate the truth, making it an important concept in legal contexts surrounding the integrity of witness testimony.