What Questions Should I Expect During a Deposition?

You will always be informed about the location where a deposition will be held in advance. Typically, depositions are held at a location that has been agreed upon by both the defendant's and plaintiff's lawyers in a lawsuit. This is typically conducted in an attorney's office; however, depositions of expert witnesses can take place at an expert's office, and in some situations, depositions may take place at the courthouse.

The attorney assisting you will be able to give you more information about how you should prepare for this particular event. Your attorney will walk you through the different kinds of questions that may be asked and the process so that you know what to expect. Your lawyer will also allow you to review the facts of the case to ensure that you are appropriately prepared to give testimony. This does not mean that your lawyer will be giving you answers to particular questions, but rather they will be explaining the purpose and process to you so that you can feel confident on the same day.

In many cases, a court reporter will be present to record your answers as you give them. However, there are some circumstances in which a deposition might be videotaped. This can occur in some states if advanced notice is provided. Videotaping can be permitted if the person has been notified well in advance. You should always discuss with your attorney if you have questions about whether or not you will be videotaped.

Although a broad range of questions can legally be asked in the deposition process, you do have the right to refuse questions about your sexuality, health, or religious beliefs. The opposing attorney will have to make a strong case for why these answers would have any direct bearing on the case in order to compel you to answer.

There are some cases in which you may not have the relevant information being asked of you in a deposition. You need to be as honest as possible, and this includes potentially giving answers such as, “I don't know.” This information is acceptable in a deposition, including answers such as, “I cannot recall if this is true.”

It is best to look business professional at a deposition such as slacks and a long-sleeved dress shirt. Do not wear sneakers, sandals, shorts, or jeans. Long pants and dress shoes are recommended for men, and women can wear anything that looks business-professional.

Ideally, your advanced preparation with your attorney will help you feel more comfortable about attending a deposition. However, there are several things you should not do to avoid making mistakes that could compromise your case. These include making absolute statements, guessing answers to a question, paraphrasing conversations, acting aggressively, making light of the situation, or even using profanity.

Your lawyer should give you ample opportunity to practice and to understand what kinds of things will likely come up in a deposition conversation so that you feel more confident on the day of. If you have further questions about what is involved in getting ready for a deposition or feel that you need additional practice, set aside time to meet with a qualified and experienced lawyer. Your attorney will be able to help you figure out the best way to prepare so that you feel confident on the day of. Do not hesitate to reach out to Morgan & Morgan when you are curious about what questions can be asked during a deposition.

There are many different kinds of questions that may be asked during a deposition. The first phase of these will usually include questions about your background, who you are, and how you may know someone else. In these circumstances, you can always expect the questions to be relevant to your specific involvement in the case. If something is unclear to you or feels as though it is violating your rights, it is a good idea to work with an experienced and qualified lawyer to help you with this process.

The support of an attorney is instrumental in helping guide you through the preparation for any lawsuit and deposition prep. Do not hesitate to contact a qualified attorney to help guide you through.

For more information, you can reach out to Morgan & Morgan for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.