What is the questioning conducted by the defense attorney of the prosecution's witnesses called?

The questioning conducted by the defense attorney of the prosecution's witnesses is called cross-examination. This phase of the trial allows the defense attorney to challenge the testimony and credibility of witnesses presented by the prosecution. During cross-examination, the defense can ask leading questions and seek to expose any inconsistencies or biases in the witness's statements.

Cross-examination is a critical component of the adversarial legal system, as it helps to ensure that all sides of a case are thoroughly examined and that the evidence presented is scrutinized. This process can reveal valuable information that may influence the outcome of a trial. In contrast, direct examination refers to the initial questioning of a witness by the party who called them, interrogation typically refers to questioning by law enforcement, and a deposition is a formal statement made under oath, outside of court, usually during the pre-trial phase.