tanúk

Tanúk (singular tanú; tanúk is the plural) are individuals who provide testimony in legal proceedings. Their statements describe events, perceptions, or specialized knowledge relevant to establishing what occurred, and they help courts determine facts, assess credibility, and resolve disputes. While the specific rules vary by jurisdiction, witnesses are a central part of most judicial processes.

Witnesses can be categorized by the nature of their testimony. Factual or lay witnesses testify about what they observed or experienced, such as movements, actions, or conditions. Expert witnesses, such as scientists, engineers, or medical professionals, offer specialized opinions within their area of expertise to help interpret complex issues. Some proceedings also rely on written statements or affidavits in addition to or in place of live testimony.

Rights and obligations of witnesses include taking an oath or affirmation to tell the truth, appearing when summoned, and answering questions to the best of their knowledge. Witnesses may have privileges that protect certain communications from disclosure, and they can be protected from improper treatment. In many jurisdictions, witnesses can be cross-examined by the opposing party to test the reliability of their account.

Procedural aspects commonly include examination-in-chief (direct examination), cross-examination, and sometimes re-examination. Evidence may be presented orally in court or in written form, and hearsay statements—out-of-court assertions offered for the truth of their content—are typically restricted, with some exceptions. The reliability of testimony is assessed by the fact-finders, who consider memory, perception, bias, consistency, and corroboration with other evidence.

In Hungary, as in many legal systems, tanúk are examined during proceedings (tanúkihallgatás) and must provide truthful testimony under applicable penalties for false statements.