Testimony - Definition and Overview

In law and in religion, testimony is a solemn attestation as to the truth of a matter. The act of providing testimony is to testify. In the law, testimony generally involves a statement of fact or opinion by a witness under oath or affirmation. In religion, testimony generally involves an inward belief or outward profession of faith or of personal religious experience.

Legal testimony

In the law, testimony is a form of evidence that is obtained from a witness who makes a solemn statement or declaration of fact. Testimony may be oral or written, and it is usually made by oath or affirmation under penalty of perjury. Unless a witness is testifying as an expert witness, testimony in the form of opinions or inferences is generally limited to those opinions or inferences that are rationally based on the perceptions of the witness and are helpful to a clear understanding of the witness' testimony.

Religious testimony

In some religions (most notably Mormonism and Islam) many adherents testify as a profession of their faith, often to a congregation of believers. In Mormonism, testifying is also referred to as "bearing one's testimony," and often involves the sharing of personal experience—ranging from a simple anecdote to an account of personal revelation—followed by a statement of belief that has been confirmed by this experience. In addition to outward professions of faith, testimony also may refer to an inwardly-held belief, even if not shared.

See also

• Cross-examination
• Daubert motion
• Deponent
• deposition
• Direct examination
• Hostile witness
• In limine
• Leading question
• Redirect examination
• Strike from the record