Legal Definitions - compound question

Definition: A compound question is a type of question that includes multiple questions within a single sentence or phrase. This type of question is often used in legal trials or depositions, but it can also be found in everyday conversations. Compound questions can be confusing and misleading, and they are often objectionable in legal proceedings.

• "Did you see the car that hit the pedestrian and were you driving it at the time?"
• "Do you know who stole the money and where they hid it?"

In both of these examples, the question includes multiple questions within a single sentence. This can be confusing for the person being asked the question, as they may not know which part of the question to answer first. In a legal trial or deposition, this type of question can be objectionable because it can lead to inaccurate or incomplete answers. If an objection is sustained, the question may be withdrawn and the individual components may be asked as separate questions.