Rehabilitation of a witness in legal proceedings refers to the process used at trial to restore a witness’s credibility after it has been attacked through impeachment. Impeachment involves challenging the witness’s credibility by highlighting inconsistencies, biases, or other factors that may undermine their testimony.
A witness is rehabilitated either by introducing evidence of the witness’s good character for truthfulness and honesty, or by the introduction of a prior consistent statement made by the witness. Usually, a witness’s credibility can only be rehabilitated after their credibility has been attacked. If evidence of a witness’s credibility is introduced prior to their credibility being attacked, this is typically considered bolstering and is not permitted.
[Last updated in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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