What is a method to rehabilitate a witness after impeachment?

What is a method to rehabilitate a witness after impeachment?

• A. By introducing a new theory
• B. By erasing prior testimony
• C. By halting questioning
• D. During cross-examination or by calling another witness

Answer: (D)

Rehabilitation after impeachment is all about restoring the witness’s credibility in the jury’s eyes. The most effective and common way to do this is during cross-examination, where the attorney can steer the focus back to reliability by asking questions that highlight truthfulness, perception, memory, or consistency with other evidence. Another solid method is calling a different witness who can corroborate or support the impeached witness’s account, giving the jury additional reasons to trust the testimony. These approaches directly address credibility; the other options don’t. Introducing a new theory shifts focus away from credibility, erasing prior testimony isn’t allowed, and halting questioning isn’t a method to repair credibility.

Rehabilitation after impeachment is all about restoring the witness’s credibility in the jury’s eyes. The most effective and common way to do this is during cross-examination, where the attorney can steer the focus back to reliability by asking questions that highlight truthfulness, perception, memory, or consistency with other evidence. Another solid method is calling a different witness who can corroborate or support the impeached witness’s account, giving the jury additional reasons to trust the testimony.

These approaches directly address credibility; the other options don’t. Introducing a new theory shifts focus away from credibility, erasing prior testimony isn’t allowed, and halting questioning isn’t a method to repair credibility.