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What does it mean to impeach a witness?

  1. To interrupt the witness during testimony

  2. To show that a witness has lied in the past

  3. To praise a witness for their honesty

  4. To question the competency of the witness

The correct answer is: To show that a witness has lied in the past

Impeaching a witness involves demonstrating that the witness has previously lied or provided false information, which undermines their credibility in the current case. This process is essential in legal proceedings as it allows attorneys to challenge the reliability and truthfulness of the witness's testimony. By introducing evidence of prior dishonesty, the attorney aims to cast doubt on the witness's reliability, making the testimony less persuasive to the judge or jury. The act of impeachment can involve a variety of techniques, such as presenting prior inconsistent statements made by the witness or bringing in evidence that contradicts the witness's testimony. This is a crucial skill in court as the strength of a case can often hinge on the credibility of the witnesses involved.