testifying

Testifying is the act of giving testimony—information or evidence—under oath or affirmation for a legal proceeding or official inquiry. It can be eyewitness, where the observer recounts what they saw or heard; or expert, where someone with specialized knowledge explains technical matters; or lay testimony about general perceptions or experiences.

Most testimony is given under oath or formal affirmation and is subject to penalties for perjury if knowingly false. In many systems, testimony can occur in court, in a deposition, or through sworn written statements such as affidavits. The testimony is recorded as a transcript, and may also be video or live-streamed.

Compulsion to testify is generally authorized by subpoenas; failure to comply can lead to contempt of court. Persons may have rights or privileges that limit testimony: the right against self-incrimination (notably in the United States), attorney-client privilege, spousal privilege, and other confidential communications. In civil cases, parties may be compelled to answer, subject to privileges. The reliability of testimony depends on memory, perception, fatigue, stress, and the risk of bias; cross-examination is used to assess credibility and consistency, and testimony can be impeached with prior inconsistent statements.

While most testing is legal, testimony also appears in non-judicial settings, such as administrative hearings, investigations, or organizational inquiries, where witnesses provide factual or expert information to inform decisions. The term also encompasses sworn statements and affidavits collected outside the courtroom.