What is the major rule of attacking the credibility of your witness?
Answer
You can't engage in general attacks on the character of your own witness.
You can only attack the credibility of your witness if a prior inconsistent statement made by them exists.
You can only attack their character if they are hostile.
Question 2
Question
What is hostility at common law?
Answer
When a witness is attempting to sabotage the case of the party that called her.
When a witness is not giving evidence fairly with a desire to tell the truth because of a hostile animus toward the party that called her.
When a witness gives evidence inconsistent with that which she has already given.
Question 3
Question
What is the consequence of a finding of hostility?
Answer
Counsel can ask questions about the prior inconsistent statement.
Counsel can cross examine the witness at large.
Counsel can impeach the trustworthiness of the witness.
Question 4
Question
A witness who meets with the Crown just before trial for an extended period of time but doesn't advise of any problems can be treated as hostile.
Answer
True
False
Question 5
Question
The Canada Evidence Act s. 9(1) holds that you can cross examine the witness regarding...
Answer
Inconsistencies in recorded statements.
Inconsistencies in written statements
Inconsistencies in oral statements.
Question 6
Question
What is an adverse witness?
Answer
One who is unfavourable because she takes a position opposite to that of the party calling her.
One who takes a position inconsistent with a more favourable position for the party caller her than she held earlier.
One who says something obviously unreliable in support of the party calling her.
Question 7
Question
R v Figliola (2011 ONCA) holds that in order to cross examine under CEA s. 9(2), counsel must show that...
Answer
There is a recorded inconsistency that is harmful to the party calling the witness.
There is an inconsistency that is harmful to the party calling the witness.
There is a written inconsistency between the testimony at trial and the written statement.
Question 8
Question
R v Broyles stands for the proposition that...
Answer
Counsel cannot discuss prior convictions of their own witness until after cross examination.
The rule against asking leading questions during examination in chief is very strict, even during the introduction.
When introducing a witness, counsel cannot bolster character to the point that doing so becomes the dominant object of the introduction.
Question 9
Question
According to R v Brooks, a warning about credibility must be given when
Answer
There is concern about credibility
The testimony is important to the Crown's case
All of the above
Question 10
Question
According to R v Khela, which of the following is NOT an element of the warning that should be given to jurors where the guilt of the accused rests on the testimony of a single doubtful witness?
Answer
Drawing the attention of the jury to the evidence requiring special scrutiny.
Explaining why the evidence needs special scrutiny.
Cautioning the jury that it is dangerous to convict on unconfirmed evidence of this sort, but that they can.
Informing the jury that the persuasive burden is increased in cases resting on a single doubtful witness.
That the jury should look for evidence from another source showing that the untrustworthy witness is telling the truth.