What is the legal term for the process of questioning a witness called by the opposing party?

The correct term for the process of questioning a witness that has been called by the opposing party is cross-examination. This stage of the trial occurs after the direct examination, where the party who called the witness has the opportunity to ask their questions and establish their testimony. During cross-examination, the opposing party questions the witness to challenge their credibility, clarify their statements, or obtain information that may be beneficial to their case.

Cross-examination is a critical component of the adversarial system, allowing for the testing of the witness's testimony through opposing viewpoints. It aims to uncover inconsistencies, biases, and weaknesses in the witness's statements, providing the jury or judge with a more rounded understanding of the evidence presented.

The other processes mentioned serve different purposes: direct examination is the initial questioning by the party who has called the witness; redirect examination follows cross-examination, allowing the original party to clarify or expand upon points raised during cross-examination; and re-cross examination provides a limited opportunity for the opposing party to question the witness again, but only on matters that have been raised during the redirect examination. Each of these serves a distinct function in the legal process, emphasizing the role of cross-examination in testing the reliability of witness testimony.