Contribution Quote by John Henry Wigmore
“Cross-examination is beyond any doubt the greatest legal engine ever invented for the discovery of truth. ... Cross-examination, not trial by jury, is the great and permanent contribution of the Anglo-American system of law to improved methods of trial-procedure.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: The Trial of Fact, 1913
Cross‑examination is the most powerful tool for uncovering truth in law, surpassing jury deliberation.
In simple terms: Cross‑examination reveals truth better than juries.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize rigorous questioning in legal proceedings.
Themes
legal truth‑seeking
cross‑examination
judicial process
evidence evaluation
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
legal
educational
When to use this quote
- courtroom practice
- law school training
- legal reform
- jury instruction
Key Concepts
procedural law
adversarial system
truth epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can cross‑examination be balanced with fairness?
- What safeguards protect vulnerable witnesses?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance may intimidate witnesses or obscure nuance.
