In law, the questioning of a witness by the attorney who called that witness to testify.
From 'direct' (Latin directus, 'straightforward') + 'examination' (Latin examinare, 'to weigh, test'). This legal term became standard in common law courts to distinguish questioning by the proponent from hostile questioning by opposing counsel.
Direct examination is when a lawyer is on their home team—they ask open questions and build their case, whereas cross-examination is adversarial; the legal system practically requires this shift because it prevents lawyers from contaminating friendly witnesses with leading questions.
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