What Is a Deposition?

A deposition is a formal, out-of-court testimony given under oath by a witness or a party to a lawsuit. The testimony is typically recorded by a court reporter, called a stenographer, and it allows all parties in a case to obtain sworn statements before the trial begins. Depositions are a key part of the discovery process in litigation and are commonly used to gather information, assess the strength of the other party’s case, and prepare for trial.

Key Features of a Deposition

1. Sworn Testimony: The person being deposed (called the “deponent”) provides testimony under oath, meaning they must tell the truth or risk being charged with perjury.
2. Recorded by a Court Reporter: A court reporter is present to transcribe the entire deposition. The transcript can be used later in court if needed.
3. Out-of-Court: Unlike trial testimony, depositions are taken outside of court. They typically occur in an attorney’s office, although they can take place in other locations. In the past few years, many depositions have been taken remotely via Zoom or other similar videoconferencing apps.
4. Question-and-Answer Format: During a deposition, the attorney for the party requesting the deposition (called the “deposing” attorney) asks the deponent questions. The opposing attorney may also ask questions, and the deponent answers them under oath.
5. Not Used for Immediate Rulings: A deposition is not a place for immediate rulings or decisions. Instead, it is a tool to gather evidence and clarify facts in preparation for trial.

Purpose of a Deposition

Depositions are used to achieve several goals in the litigation process:

• Fact-Finding: They help the parties understand the facts of the case, including details about the accident, injuries, damages, or defenses.
• Preserving Testimony: A deposition preserves a witness’s testimony before the trial, especially if there’s a concern that the witness might be unavailable or forget critical details later.
• Evaluating Credibility: Attorneys use depositions to evaluate the credibility of witnesses, assess how they might perform under cross-examination, and determine the strength of their testimony.
• Clarifying Issues: Depositions can clarify ambiguities or inconsistencies in written documents (e.g., interrogatory answers or pleadings).
• Impeachment: If a witness provides inconsistent testimony at trial, attorneys can use their prior deposition statements to challenge the witness’s credibility.

How a Deposition Works

1. Notice of Deposition:
   • Before a deposition, the party requesting the deposition must serve a Notice of Deposition to the deponent and all other involved parties. This notice informs the deponent and others of the time, date, and location of the deposition.
2. Taking the Deposition:
   • The deposition begins with the attorney for the party asking the questions (deposing attorney) introducing the deponent and explaining the purpose of the deposition.
   • The deponent swears an oath to tell the truth.
   • The questioning then begins, and the deponent answers the questions.
   • The opposing attorney has the right to ask follow-up questions after the deposing attorney is finished.
3. Objections:
   • Attorneys can make objections during a deposition, though the deponent must still answer the question unless the objection involves a legal issue (e.g., attorney-client privilege). Objections are often made for the record but do not stop the deposition.
   • Common objections include relevance, leading questions, or speculation.
   • In most depositions, the parties agree to reserve all objects until the time of trial. This means that instead of objecting to each question and slowing down the deposition, the parties agree that they’ll deal with objects later.
4. Court Reporter:
   • A court reporter transcribes the entire deposition verbatim. This transcript becomes an official part of the discovery record.
   • The deponent may be given the opportunity to review the transcript and correct any inaccuracies, although this is not always required.
5. Use of Deposition at Trial:
   • If the deponent is unavailable at trial, the deposition transcript may be read to the jury.
   • If the deponent’s testimony at trial is inconsistent with their deposition, it can be used to impeach their credibility.
   • In some cases, depositions may be used in court to support or dispute facts, even if the deponent testifies at trial.

Types of Depositions

1. Party Depositions: A deposition taken from a party to the lawsuit (e.g., the plaintiff or defendant) is a party deposition. These are often the most informative because the parties have direct knowledge of the facts.
2. Witness Depositions: Depositions can also be taken from witnesses who are not parties to the case. These individuals may have relevant information regarding the events or circumstances surrounding the case.
3. Expert Witness Depositions: If an expert witness is involved in the case, such as a medical or accident reconstruction expert, a deposition may be taken to understand their opinions, qualifications, and the basis for their conclusions.

Questions Typically Asked in a Deposition

During a deposition, questions can range from broad to very specific, depending on the issues in the case. Common areas of questioning might include:

• Personal Information: Basic details about the deponent’s background, employment, and education.
• Event Details: Questions about the specific event that led to the lawsuit (e.g., a car accident, slip-and-fall incident).
• Damages: Questions about the injuries sustained, medical treatment received, and the impact of those injuries on the deponent’s life.
• Witnesses: Questions about anyone who witnessed the event or has information relevant to the case.
• Expert Opinions: If applicable, questions regarding the opinions and methods of expert witnesses.

Example of Deposition Questions in a Personal Injury Case

For a car accident injury case, sample deposition questions might include:

1. Can you please describe in detail what happened during the accident on [date]?
2. Were there any traffic violations committed by you or the other driver?
3. What was the weather like at the time of the accident?
4. Can you identify the injuries you sustained in the accident?
5. What medical treatment have you received since the accident?
6. Were there any witnesses to the accident? Can you provide their contact information?
7. How have your injuries affected your daily life and ability to work?

Advantages of Depositions

• Fact Gathering: Depositions provide valuable information from witnesses and parties that might not otherwise be available.
• Pretrial Preparation: They help attorneys prepare for trial by revealing the testimony that will be presented and allowing them to evaluate the credibility of witnesses.
• Impeachment: If a witness changes their story at trial, their previous deposition testimony can be used to challenge their credibility.
• Settlement Incentive: Knowing the details of the other party’s testimony can encourage settlement negotiations, as both sides can see the strengths and weaknesses of their case.

Disadvantages of Depositions

• Time-Consuming: Depositions can take several hours or even days, depending on the complexity of the case and the number of witnesses involved.
• Cost: Depositions can be expensive because of the need for a court reporter, attorney fees, and possibly expert witness fees.
• Pressure: Depositions can be stressful for witnesses, especially those who are unaccustomed to legal proceedings. They can also be intimidating for parties or witnesses who may fear making mistakes or providing damaging information.

Conclusion

A deposition is an essential part of the discovery process that allows parties to gather sworn testimony before trial. It serves as a tool to clarify facts, assess witness credibility, and preserve evidence. Depositions provide both sides with critical information to prepare for trial, and they can even influence settlement negotiations. While they can be time-consuming and costly, they are a valuable tool for ensuring that all parties are fully informed of the facts and positions involved in the case.