What occurs during the cross-examination phase?

During the cross-examination phase of a trial, the defense has the opportunity to question witnesses who were presented by the prosecution. This phase is crucial for the defense as it allows them to challenge the credibility of the prosecution's witnesses and to highlight any inconsistencies or weaknesses in their testimony. The goal of cross-examination is not only to gather information but also to cast doubt on the prosecution's case in the minds of the jury or the judge. By carefully crafting their questions, the defense can reveal biases, inaccuracies, or motives that may affect a witness's reliability.

This contrasts with the other activities that occur during a trial. The judge summarizing the trial is typically part of the closing arguments phase and not specific to cross-examination. The prosecution presenting evidence is an earlier part of the trial, where they lay out their case against the defendant. Lastly, witnesses giving their closing arguments is not a standard practice, as closing arguments are usually performed by attorneys rather than witnesses themselves. Therefore, the cross-examination phase plays a vital role in the adversarial process, highlighting the importance of the defense's right to question the prosecution's evidence.