What is an adverse witness expected to provide in a court case?

An adverse witness is a party that offers testimony that may be unfavorable or detrimental to the interests of the party that called them to testify. The expectation is that this witness will provide prejudicial testimony, meaning their statements could support the opposing side's case or undermine the credibility of the calling party's claims. Such witnesses often have a different perspective or facts that can challenge the narrative being presented, leading to more robust discussions and evaluations by the court.

Supportive testimony would imply that the witness is agreeing with the party that called them, which is not the nature of an adverse witness. Neutral commentary suggests an unbiased opinion, while expert analysis typically refers to someone with specialized knowledge providing insights based on their expertise, which does not align with the role of an adverse witness. An adverse witness's focus on presenting potentially damaging information is what makes their testimony significant in court proceedings.