Litigation Lawyers in Melbourne
In Melbourne, Florida, a civil deposition is a part of the discovery procedure in civil litigation.
Discovery, in Melbourne, Florida is a very critical step in the civil litigation process. It is when all of the relevant evidence is gathered by both sides, and, generally, each side must disclose that evidence to the other.
In Melbourne, Florida, one way to obtain this information is to find the people involved in the dispute (whether they're witnesses or parties), and ask them questions about the issues you believe them to have knowledge of. A civil deposition is usually a pretty simple process: the person being deposed is sworn in (they are under oath, just as if they were in a courtroom). Because the whole point of a deposition is to get testimony on the record, a stenographer or video technician will also be present, recording the whole deposition. The lawyer then asks questions of the witness, and the lawyers for the other side are able to object to certain lines of questioning, if they wish.
Conducting A Civil Deposition in Melbourne, Florida
Depositions in Melbourne, Florida are meant to get verbal testimony on the record and into evidence, when there is concern that the individual being deposed might be unable to show up and testify at trial, or their testimony will take far too long for them to testify at trial.
Civil Depositions in Melbourne, Florida can sometimes go on for days, and occasionally even weeks. If you are obligated to appear for a deposition in Melbourne, Florida, it can prove to be a significant inconvenience.
Because of this fact, the law in Melbourne, Florida permits witnesses who are appearing for depositions to be compensated for the expense associated with it. This includes reimbursement for gas, lodging, and food. They can also be paid a certain amount of money for every hour they testify, to compensate them for their time. However, this money can only be conditioned on the witness showing up and giving truthful testimony. Trying to condition it on the witness testifying in a certain way ceases to be compensation, and becomes bribery, which is a crime.
If you are called to a deposition in Melbourne, Florida, it's absolutely essential that you answer all the questions truthfully, to the best of your knowledge. When testifying in a deposition, you are under oath, just as you would be in open court. Deliberately lying in a deposition is perjury, which is a serious crime.
How Can A Melbourne, Florida Lawyer Help?
If you are directly involved in a lawsuit in Melbourne, Florida, and have to appear at a deposition, you should already be represented by a lawyer. It goes without saying that you should do whatever they advise you to do throughout the deposition.
If you are not directly involved in the lawsuit, you might still have to appear at a deposition, if you have information that's relevant to the case in Melbourne, Florida. You likely don't need to hire a lawyer in that case, but it might be a good idea to at least get a consultation from one.