What defines a "leading question" in legal proceedings?

A "leading question" is defined as one that suggests its own answer. This means that the wording of the question implies or contains the answer within it, thereby guiding the respondent towards a specific response. In legal contexts, leading questions are often disallowed during direct examination because they can manipulate the witness's responses, limiting the opportunity for the witness to provide unbiased and spontaneous testimony.

For instance, instead of asking "What color was the car?", a leading question would be, "Was the car blue?" The second question indicates the expected answer, leaving little room for the witness to provide a different perspective or detail. This is particularly critical in ensuring that testimony collected during legal proceedings accurately reflects the witness’s own recollections and observations.

The other options do not encapsulate the essence of what makes a question leading. While a question that seeks a yes or no answer only may often be leading, not all yes/no questions are leading. Similarly, a question posed to obtain clarification serves to enhance understanding rather than to direct the answer. Lastly, adherence to a specific order of questions does not inherently make a question leading; leading involves more about how the question itself is framed.