Legal Definitions - testimony

Testimony is when a person gives evidence in a legal case. This can be done by speaking in court or by writing a statement that is given under oath. The purpose of testimony is to help the judge or jury understand what happened and make a decision based on the facts presented.

Here are some examples of testimony:

• A witness in a car accident case tells the court what they saw and heard at the time of the accident.
• A victim of a crime tells the court what happened to them and how it has affected their life.
• An expert witness in a medical malpractice case explains to the court what the standard of care is and how the defendant failed to meet it.

These examples illustrate how testimony is used to provide information and help the court make a decision. Witnesses are asked questions by the lawyers and must answer truthfully under oath. This helps ensure that the information presented is accurate and reliable.