Re-Direct Examinations: Difference between revisions

From Criminal Law Notebook
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{LevelOne}}{{HeaderTrials}}<!--****-->
{{LevelOne}}{{HeaderTrials}}
==General Principles==
==General Principles==
{{seealso|Examinations}}
{{seealso|Examinations}}
Line 5: Line 5:
'''Re-examine on "new facts"'''<br>
'''Re-examine on "new facts"'''<br>
Generally, once cross-examination is complete a witness cannot introduce new facts not covered in cross-examination except where permitted as "re-examination".<ref>
Generally, once cross-examination is complete a witness cannot introduce new facts not covered in cross-examination except where permitted as "re-examination".<ref>
R v Lavoie, [http://canlii.ca/t/5rmf 2000 ABCA 318] (CanLII) at para 46 citing The Law of Evidence in Canada ("The witness is not ordinarily allowed to supplement the examination-in-chief by introducing new facts which were not covered in cross-examination.")
R v Lavoie, [http://canlii.ca/t/5rmf 2000 ABCA 318] (CanLII){{TheCourt}} at para 46 citing The Law of Evidence in Canada ("The witness is not ordinarily allowed to supplement the examination-in-chief by introducing new facts which were not covered in cross-examination.")
</ref>
</ref>


A party calling a witness is entitled to re-examine the witness after cross-examination.<ref>
A party calling a witness is entitled to re-examine the witness after cross-examination.<ref>
R v Moore (1984), 15 CCC (3d) 543 (Ont. C.A.), [http://canlii.ca/t/g945z 1984 CanLII 3542] (ON CA), per Martin JA</ref>
R v Moore (1984), 15 CCC (3d) 543 (Ont. C.A.), [http://canlii.ca/t/g945z 1984 CanLII 3542] (ON CA){{perONCA|Martin JA}}</ref>
The scope of the re-examination is limited to matters that arose in cross-examination.<ref>R v Moore, at 66 cited in R v Evans [1993] 2 SCR 639, [http://canlii.ca/t/1frzq 1993 CanLII 86] (SCC) at 36</ref> Its purpose is to allow the witness to explain or qualify answers that were given in cross-examination.<ref>
The scope of the re-examination is limited to matters that arose in cross-examination.<ref>R v Moore, at 66 cited in R v Evans [1993] 2 SCR 639, [http://canlii.ca/t/1frzq 1993 CanLII 86] (SCC){{perSCC| Sopinka Sopinka J}} at 36</ref> Its purpose is to allow the witness to explain or qualify answers that were given in cross-examination.<ref>
R v Evans ("The questions that can be asked of right on re-examination should focus on elements from the against-examination relating to new facts or issues raised during the examination and require explanations for asked questions and answers in cons-examination") citing Ewaschuk in Criminal Pleadings & Practice in Canada , 2 e ed (p 16.29 by 16.. 2510)<br>
Evans{{ibid}} ("The questions that can be asked of right on re-examination should focus on elements from the against-examination relating to new facts or issues raised during the examination and require explanations for asked questions and answers in cons-examination") citing Ewaschuk in Criminal Pleadings & Practice in Canada , 2 e ed (p 16.29 by 16.. 2510)<br>
R v Candir, [http://canlii.ca/t/2754x 2009 ONCA 915] (CanLII)<br>
R v Candir, [http://canlii.ca/t/2754x 2009 ONCA 915] (CanLII){{perONCA|Watt JA}}<br>
R v Linklater, [http://canlii.ca/t/22nhr 2009 ONCA 172] (CanLII), at para 13<br>
R v Linklater, [http://canlii.ca/t/22nhr 2009 ONCA 172] (CanLII){{TheCourt}}, at para 13<br>
Barboza-Pena c. R., [http://canlii.ca/t/1x9hd 2008 QCCA 1133] (CanLII), at para 36<br>
Barboza-Pena c. R., [http://canlii.ca/t/1x9hd 2008 QCCA 1133] (CanLII){{TheCourt}}, at para 36<br>
</ref>
</ref>


The "purpose of re-examination is to enable the witness to explain and clarify relevant testimony which may have been weakened or obscured in cross-examination."<ref>
The "purpose of re-examination is to enable the witness to explain and clarify relevant testimony which may have been weakened or obscured in cross-examination."<ref>
R v Lavoie, at para 46 citing The Law of Evidence in Canada, at p. 879<br>
Lavoie{{supra}} at para 46 citing The Law of Evidence in Canada, at p. 879<br>
</ref>
</ref>


Line 25: Line 25:


The right to re-examine is not absolute but should be permitted where it is not repetitious and "genuinely arises from cross-examination".<ref>
The right to re-examine is not absolute but should be permitted where it is not repetitious and "genuinely arises from cross-examination".<ref>
R v Schell, [http://canlii.ca/t/fvhsp 2013 ABCA 4] (CanLII) ("re-examination is permitted if it is not merely repetitious and if it genuinely arises from the cross-examination")
R v Schell, [http://canlii.ca/t/fvhsp 2013 ABCA 4] (CanLII){{TheCourt}} ("re-examination is permitted if it is not merely repetitious and if it genuinely arises from the cross-examination")
</ref>
</ref>


Line 43: Line 43:
'''Use of Prior Statements in Re-Direct'''<Br>
'''Use of Prior Statements in Re-Direct'''<Br>
The re-examination cannot be used to introduce a second inconsistent statement after a first inconsistent statement was introduced in cross.<Ref>
The re-examination cannot be used to introduce a second inconsistent statement after a first inconsistent statement was introduced in cross.<Ref>
R v Horsefall, [http://canlii.ca/t/2327h 1991 CanLII 5768] (BC CA)
R v Horsefall, [http://canlii.ca/t/2327h 1991 CanLII 5768] (BC CA){{perBCCA|Goldie JA}}
</ref>
</ref>


A Crown may play an entire statement back to the witness in re-examination and put in as an exhibit.<ref>
A Crown may play an entire statement back to the witness in re-examination and put in as an exhibit.<ref>
R v Patterson, [http://canlii.ca/t/7clf2003 CanLII 30300] (ON CA), at para 49<br>
R v Patterson, [http://canlii.ca/t/7clf 2003 CanLII 30300] (ON CA){{perONCA|Gillese JA}}, at para 49<br>
</ref>
</ref>


Where recent fabrication arises in cross, the re-direct may be used to introduce a prior consistent statement of the witness.<Ref>
Where recent fabrication arises in cross, the re-direct may be used to introduce a prior consistent statement of the witness.<Ref>
R v Lavoie, [http://canlii.ca/t/5rmf 2000 ABCA 318] (CanLII)<br>
R v Lavoie, [http://canlii.ca/t/5rmf 2000 ABCA 318] (CanLII){{TheCourt}}<br>
see also [[Prior Consistent Statements]]
see also [[Prior Consistent Statements]]
</ref>
</ref>
Line 58: Line 58:


Reply or Rebuttal evidence is only permitted where the evidence was not reasonably anticipated.<ref>
Reply or Rebuttal evidence is only permitted where the evidence was not reasonably anticipated.<ref>
see R v K.T. [http://canlii.ca/t/fx5wz 2013 ONCA 257] (CanLII)<br>
see R v KT, [http://canlii.ca/t/fx5wz 2013 ONCA 257] (CanLII){{perONCA|Watt JA}}<br>
see also [[Trial Process#Reply or Rebuttal|Reply or Rebuttal evidence]]
see also [[Trial Process#Reply or Rebuttal|Reply or Rebuttal evidence]]
</ref>
</ref>
Re-direct has not requirement that the area of evidence to have been unanticipated.
Re-direct has no requirement that the area of evidence to have been unanticipated.


{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}

Revision as of 22:32, 11 November 2018

General Principles

See also: Examinations

Re-examine on "new facts"
Generally, once cross-examination is complete a witness cannot introduce new facts not covered in cross-examination except where permitted as "re-examination".[1]

A party calling a witness is entitled to re-examine the witness after cross-examination.[2] The scope of the re-examination is limited to matters that arose in cross-examination.[3] Its purpose is to allow the witness to explain or qualify answers that were given in cross-examination.[4]

The "purpose of re-examination is to enable the witness to explain and clarify relevant testimony which may have been weakened or obscured in cross-examination."[5]

Counsel is entitled to ask questions that "relate to matters arising out of the cross-examination which deal with new matters, or with matters raised in examination-in-chief which require explanation as to questions put and answers given in cross-examination."[6]

The right to re-examine is not absolute but should be permitted where it is not repetitious and "genuinely arises from cross-examination".[7]

Introducing "new facts" not arising from Cross
New facts may be raised in re-examination at the discretion of the judge. If the judge permits it, the opposing party must be permitted to cross-examine.[8]

Form of Questions
The rule against leading questions still applies in re-examination.[9]

Improper Re-Direct
Re-examination may not be used to improperly bolster credibility of the witness after impeaching credibility in cross-examination.[10]

Use of Prior Statements in Re-Direct
The re-examination cannot be used to introduce a second inconsistent statement after a first inconsistent statement was introduced in cross.[11]

A Crown may play an entire statement back to the witness in re-examination and put in as an exhibit.[12]

Where recent fabrication arises in cross, the re-direct may be used to introduce a prior consistent statement of the witness.[13]

Re-Direct vs Reply or Rebuttal

Reply or Rebuttal evidence is only permitted where the evidence was not reasonably anticipated.[14] Re-direct has no requirement that the area of evidence to have been unanticipated.

  1. R v Lavoie, 2000 ABCA 318 (CanLII), per curiam at para 46 citing The Law of Evidence in Canada ("The witness is not ordinarily allowed to supplement the examination-in-chief by introducing new facts which were not covered in cross-examination.")
  2. R v Moore (1984), 15 CCC (3d) 543 (Ont. C.A.), 1984 CanLII 3542 (ON CA), per Martin JA
  3. R v Moore, at 66 cited in R v Evans [1993] 2 SCR 639, 1993 CanLII 86 (SCC), per Sopinka Sopinka J at 36
  4. Evans, ibid. ("The questions that can be asked of right on re-examination should focus on elements from the against-examination relating to new facts or issues raised during the examination and require explanations for asked questions and answers in cons-examination") citing Ewaschuk in Criminal Pleadings & Practice in Canada , 2 e ed (p 16.29 by 16.. 2510)
    R v Candir, 2009 ONCA 915 (CanLII), per Watt JA
    R v Linklater, 2009 ONCA 172 (CanLII), per curiam, at para 13
    Barboza-Pena c. R., 2008 QCCA 1133 (CanLII), per curiam, at para 36
  5. Lavoie, supra at para 46 citing The Law of Evidence in Canada, at p. 879
  6. E.G. Ewaschuk in Criminal Pleadings and Practice Canada, 2d ed., in these words at p. 16.29, para 16:2510
  7. R v Schell, 2013 ABCA 4 (CanLII), per curiam ("re-examination is permitted if it is not merely repetitious and if it genuinely arises from the cross-examination")
  8. Moore, supra at 66
  9. Moore, supra at 66
    See Phipson on Evidence (13th Ed.). at p. 823-24; Wigmore on Evidence (3rd Ed.), vol. 6, p. 567
  10. Moore, supra
  11. R v Horsefall, 1991 CanLII 5768 (BC CA), per Goldie JA
  12. R v Patterson, 2003 CanLII 30300 (ON CA), per Gillese JA, at para 49
  13. R v Lavoie, 2000 ABCA 318 (CanLII), per curiam
    see also Prior Consistent Statements
  14. see R v KT, 2013 ONCA 257 (CanLII), per Watt JA
    see also Reply or Rebuttal evidence

See Also