Testimony
Spoken statements made by a witness under oath in court or in a deposition.
Testimony is the spoken evidence a witness gives under oath in a legal proceeding. When you testify, you answer questions from the attorneys (or from the judge in some cases) about what you know, saw, or experienced. Before testifying, you take an oath or affirmation promising to tell the truth.
In Minnesota courts, testimony is one of the main ways that evidence is presented. Witnesses can testify about facts they personally observed. Expert witnesses can give opinions in their area of expertise. Both sides have the right to question witnesses — the side that called the witness asks questions first (direct examination), and the other side follows (cross-examination).
Why it matters: Testimony can make or break a case. The judge or jury uses testimony to determine what actually happened. Lying under oath is perjury, which is a crime in Minnesota.
Example: In a car accident trial, the plaintiff testifies about how the accident happened, the injuries they suffered, and how those injuries have affected their daily life. The defense attorney then cross-examines the plaintiff about the details.
Trials, hearings, depositions, contested court proceedings