The goal of rebuttal is to contradict and refute opposing counsels witness testimony
At trial, after one attorney examines a witness, called direct examination, the opposing attorney can cross-examine the witness to rebut the witness’s former testimony or impeach the witness’s credibility.
The purpose of presenting rebuttal testimony is to contradict the previous witness’s testimony. This can be done by cross-examining the opposing side’s witness or putting on a rebuttal witness who will refute the opposing counsel’s witness.
Another form of rebuttal testimony is when one side completes their case in chief, and the opposing side puts on their case, intended to rebut or contradict the opposite side’s evidence.
