Who is considered a witness in legal proceedings?

A witness in legal proceedings is someone who personally sees or perceives an event. This definition encompasses individuals who can provide firsthand accounts of what transpired during an incident. In legal contexts, firsthand knowledge is crucial because it offers the court insights based on direct observation or experience, which can help establish the facts pertinent to a case.

While character references and evidence presentation may play roles in legal proceedings, they do not meet the strict definition of a witness. Character references pertain to a person's reputation rather than observable events, and individuals who present evidence can include various participants in the legal process, not just those who witnessed an event directly. Additionally, a representative of the accused does not necessarily provide testimony but rather advocates for their client's interests, which is distinct from being a witness who reports on observations.