Which statement best defines a witness?

Which statement best defines a witness?

• A. A person summoned to testify for the prosecution, or who has relevant info likely to be called as a witness for the prosecution
• B. A person who committed the offense
• C. A person who is a victim but not a witness
• D. A bystander with no information

Answer: (A)

A witness is someone who can provide evidence about what happened in a case and is able to testify under oath. The statement that best defines a witness fits this idea, noting that the person is either summoned to testify for the prosecution or has information that would likely lead to their being called as a witness for the prosecution. This captures both actual testimony and the potential to contribute relevant facts. The offender is not a witness, so that option doesn’t define the role. A victim can indeed be a witness, so saying a victim is not a witness isn’t accurate. And a bystander who has no information wouldn’t be a witness, since a witness is defined by having information relevant to the case.

A witness is someone who can provide evidence about what happened in a case and is able to testify under oath. The statement that best defines a witness fits this idea, noting that the person is either summoned to testify for the prosecution or has information that would likely lead to their being called as a witness for the prosecution. This captures both actual testimony and the potential to contribute relevant facts.

The offender is not a witness, so that option doesn’t define the role. A victim can indeed be a witness, so saying a victim is not a witness isn’t accurate. And a bystander who has no information wouldn’t be a witness, since a witness is defined by having information relevant to the case.