What type of question is typically discouraged because it tells the witness how to respond?

The type of question that is typically discouraged because it leads the witness towards a specific answer is known as a leading question. Leading questions are designed to suggest the answer within the question itself, which can undermine the witness's credibility and the integrity of their testimony. For instance, asking "You saw the defendant at the scene, didn't you?" suggests that the witness should confirm that they did, rather than allowing the witness to freely express their own recollection of events.

In court settings, especially in matters involving youth, it is crucial to allow witnesses to provide their own accounts without influence, to ensure truthful and reliable testimonies. Other types of questions, like badgering, which involves aggressive questioning, or compound questions, which ask two or more things at once, may also pose issues in terms of clarity and fairness, but leading questions are distinct in that they directly guide the witness's response. Invalid questions are generally not recognized as proper inquiry in court. Thus, identifying leading questions is essential for maintaining an unbiased environment for witness testimony.