Objections

On cross-examination, a party is permitted to employ any type of question that would be proper
on direct along with certain types that would not be.
a. Leading Questions permitted
b. Improper Questioning
i. Misleading a question that cannot be answered without making an unintended
admission.
Ex. Do you still beat your wife?
ii. Compound requires a single answer to more than question.
Ex. Did you see and hear him?
iii. Argumentative a leading question that also reflects the examiners
interpretation of the facts.
Ex. Why were you driving so carelessly?
iv. Assuming facts not in evidence a leading question assumes that a disputed fact
is true although it has not yet been established in the case.
Ex. After he ran the stop sign, he honked his horn, didnt he? (where
there is no evidence that the person referred to ran a stop sign)
v. Conclusionary a question that calls for an opinion or conclusion that the
witness is not qualified or permitted to make.
Ex. Did your wife understand this also? (opinion as to wifes
understanding)
vi. Cumulative a question that has already been asked and answered. More
repetition is allowed on cross-examination than on direct, but where it is apparent
that the cross-examiner is not getting anywhere, the judge may disallow the
question.
vii. Harassing, embarrassing a trial judge has discretion to disallow crossexamination that is unduly embarrassing, so may the judge prevent irrelevant,
oppressive, or insulting interrogatories.
Ex. Are you a homosexual?