a witness in a trial who is found by the judge to be adverse to the position of
the party whose attorney is questioning the witness, even though the attorney called
the witness to testify on behalf of his/her client. When the attorney calling the
witness finds that answers are contrary to the legal position of his/her client
or the witness becomes openly antagonistic, the attorney may request the judge to
declare the witness to be "adverse" or "hostile. " If the judge declares the witness
to be adverse (i. e. hostile) then the attorney may ask "leading" questions which
suggest answers or are challenging to the testimony just as on cross examination
of a witness who has testified for the opposition.
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