Source: https://brucecornblum.com/cross-examination-right-and-privilege/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 22:57:39+00:00

Document:
Cross-examination is described by Professor Wigmore (5 Wigmore, Evidence (3rd Ed. 1940) § 1367, page 29) as “the greatest legal engine ever invented for the discovery of truth”. [People v. Reynolds (1984) 152 Cal. App. 3d 42, 46] Cross-examination has two purposes. Its chief purpose is to test the credibility, knowledge and recollection of the witness. The other purpose is to elicit additional evidence. [Fost v. Superior Court (2000) 80 Cal. App. 4th 724, 733; 3 Witkin, California Evidence (3d, 1986) § 1873, page 1827] For subjects on cross-examination of an adjuster or claims supervisor see § B2 BAD FAITH LAWSUIT – FIRST PARTY [§ B2:3.2.2 Cross-examination of adjuster]; § B3 BAD FAITH LAWSUIT – THIRD PARTY [§ B3:2.02 Bad faith refusal to settle, cross examination of adjuster].
Where a witness refuses to submit to cross-examination, or is unavailable for that purpose, the conventional remedy is to exclude the witness’s testimony on direct. In either a civil or criminal case, where a party is deprived of the benefits of cross-examination of a witness by refusal of the witness to answer, the trial court may strike out the direct examination. [Fost v. Superior Court, (2000) 80 Cal. App. 4th 724, 736; 3 Witkin, California Evidence (3d, 1986) § 1877, page 1831] This rule applies even where the refusal to answer is based on a valid claim of privilege. [Fost v. Superior Court (2000) 80 Cal. App. 4th 724, 736 (refusal of reporter to answer question based upon the reporter’s shield law under Evidence Code § 1070)] Where striking the testimony may not suffice if incurable prejudice would result, the proper remedy may be the granting of a mistrial. [Fost v. Superior court (2000) 80 Cal. App. 4th 724, fn. 6 citing Witkin. See also Victaulic Co. v. American Home Assurance Co. (2018) 20 Cal. App. 5th 948, 980 (invoking the 5th amendment privilege)] See § F21.01 FIFTH AMENDMENT – INVOKING OF.
References in bold are to Mr. Cornblum’s text CALIFORNIA INSURANCE LAW DICTIONARY AND DESK REFERENCE, 2018 Edition, published by ThomsonReuters (1-800-344-5008 to order 3-Volume text).

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