What is the procedure called when the credibility of a witness is challenged?

The procedure for challenging the credibility of a witness is known as impeachment. Impeachment is a critical aspect of legal proceedings, as it seeks to demonstrate that a witness's testimony is not reliable or trustworthy. This can be accomplished by presenting evidence that contradicts the witness's statements, highlighting biases, prior convictions, or inconsistencies in their accounts. The goal is to persuade the judge or jury to view the witness's statements with skepticism or doubt.

For example, if a witness has previously made contradictory statements or has a criminal record relevant to the case, the attorney can use this information during impeachment to undermine the witness's credibility. This process is essential in ensuring that the court only relies on trustworthy and credible testimony when making a decision.

In contrast, other terms like peremptory challenge and challenge for cause relate to the selection of jurors rather than witnesses. A character witness is someone who testifies to another person's character but does not directly engage in the process of challenging the credibility of an existing witness. Therefore, impeachment is the correct term for the procedure where a witness's credibility is questioned.