Leading question

A question that suggests the answer desired of the witness. A party generally may not ask one's own witness leading questions. Leading questions may be asked only of hostile witnesses and on cross-examination.

A question that instructs the witness how to answer, puts words into the witness’s mouth or suggests the desired answer.

A question which, by its phrasing, suggests to the witness the answer desired by counsel. For example, the phrasing of the question, "The car was blue, wasn't it?" suggests that the questioner wants the witness to testify that the car was blue. Leading questions are allowed on cross-examination but not on direct examination.