Legal Definitions - Right to confront witness

The right to confront a witness is a legal right that a person accused of a crime has. It means that the accused has the right to be present at the trial and cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses. This right is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The purpose of this right is to prevent the conviction of a defendant based on written evidence without giving them the opportunity to face their accusers and test their honesty and truthfulness before the jury.

For example, if someone is accused of stealing a car, they have the right to confront the witness who saw them steal the car and cross-examine them. This means they can ask questions to challenge the witness's credibility and truthfulness.

However, there are some exceptions to this right. For example, if a child is the victim of abuse, they may be allowed to testify by one-way closed circuit television to avoid serious emotional distress.

In summary, the right to confront a witness is an important legal right that ensures a fair trial for the accused. It allows them to challenge the prosecution's evidence and cross-examine witnesses to test their credibility and truthfulness.