- witness
- verbTo subscribe one's name to a deed, will, or other document, for the purpose of attesting its authenticity, and proving its execution, if required, by bearing witness thereto.See also affirmation- attest- juratnounIn general, one who, being present, personally sees or perceives a thing; a beholder, spectator, or eyewitness.One who is called to testify before a court. People v. Ruiz, 100 Misc.2d 562, 419 N.Y.S.2d 864, 866.One who testifies to what he has seen, heard, or otherwise observed. Wigginton v. Order of United Commercial Travelers of America, C.C.A.Ind., 126 F.2d 659, 666.A person whose declaration under oath (or affirmation) is received as evidence for any purpose, whether such declaration be made on oral examination or by deposition or affidavit. Code Civ.Proc.Cal. No. 1878.A person attesting genuineness of signature to document by adding his signature. In re Gorrell's Estate, 19 N.J.Misc. 168, 19 A.2d 334, 335.One who is called upon to be present at a transaction, or the making of a will. He may thereafter, if necessary, testify to the transaction.See also accomplice witness@ alibi witnessSee Fed.R.Crim.P. 12.1.See also alibi@ character witnessIn criminal cases, the accused is entitled to use character evidence in presenting the defense. The accused is entitled to show character traits inconsistent with the crime charged. Fed.R.Evid. 404(aXD.The Federal Rules of Evidence and a majority of jurisdictions permit proof of character either by reputation or by receiving the opinion of persons who are sufficiently familiar with the accused to be able to testify concerning the trait in question. Fed.R.Evid. 405(a). U.S. v. Morgan, C.A.N.Y. (2nd Cir.) 554 F.2d 31, cert, denied, 434 U.S. 965, 98 S.Ct. 504, 54 L.Ed.2d 450.Both the reputation witness who testifies as to the accused person's community reputation and the opinion witness who testifies that in his opinion the accused possesses certain character traits are generically referred to as "character witnesses."See also Fed.R.Evid. 607-609.@ grand jury witnessA person called to give evidence regarding matters under inquiry by the grand jury. State v. Hogervorst, 90 N.M. 580, 566 P.2d 828, 831.@ immunity of witnessesSee immunity@ witness to willOne who has attested the will by subscribing his name thereto. The trend in state statutes is to require two witnesses to attest to the signing of the will.See e.g. Uniform Probate Code No. 2-502.See also attestation clause@ witness against oneselfSee immunity@See also- competent witness- grand jury witness- immunity of witnesses
Black's law dictionary. HENRY CAMPBELL BLACK, M. A.. 1990.