Which statement correctly describes the scope of redirect and cross-recall (recross)?

Which statement correctly describes the scope of redirect and cross-recall (recross)?

• A. Redirect is unlimited in scope beyond cross; re-cross is unlimited.
• B. Redirect is limited to the scope of cross, and re-cross is limited to the scope of redirect.
• C. Redirect can address new issues not raised on cross.
• D. Recross may address entirely new topics.

Answer: (B)

The main concept is that the scope of redirect and recross is controlled by what was raised during cross-examination. Redirect is allowed to address and explain only the topics that were brought out on cross; it cannot introduce new issues. Recross then can speak to matters touched on during redirect, but it remains within the scope of that redirect and still cannot introduce entirely new topics. So redirect must stay within the cross’s topics and serve to rehabilitate or clarify those points, and recross must stay within what redirect covered. This is why the correct description is that redirect is limited to the scope of cross, and recross is limited to the scope of redirect. The other options imply unlimited scope or the ability to introduce new matters at redirect or recross, which conflicts with the rule that each step’s scope is bounded by the prior step’s topics.

The main concept is that the scope of redirect and recross is controlled by what was raised during cross-examination. Redirect is allowed to address and explain only the topics that were brought out on cross; it cannot introduce new issues. Recross then can speak to matters touched on during redirect, but it remains within the scope of that redirect and still cannot introduce entirely new topics.

So redirect must stay within the cross’s topics and serve to rehabilitate or clarify those points, and recross must stay within what redirect covered. This is why the correct description is that redirect is limited to the scope of cross, and recross is limited to the scope of redirect.

The other options imply unlimited scope or the ability to introduce new matters at redirect or recross, which conflicts with the rule that each step’s scope is bounded by the prior step’s topics.