What term refers to the official statement made by a witness during a trial?

The term that refers to the official statement made by a witness during a trial is testimony. This is a critical component of the judicial process, as it involves a witness providing their account and observations related to the case directly in front of the judge and jury. Testimony is typically given under oath, which adds a layer of legal accountability, and it can be subject to cross-examination by opposing counsel.

In contrast, an affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, used as evidence in legal proceedings but not typically presented orally in court. A deposition is a pre-trial process where a witness provides sworn testimony outside of the courtroom, often used for gathering information or preserving testimony, but it does not occur during the trial itself. A simple statement, while it may refer to a communication made by anyone, lacks the formal context associated with true testimony provided in a trial setting. Thus, testimony is specifically designed to be the formal declaration given by a witness in the courtroom context.