Litigation Lawyers in Waukee

In Waukee, Iowa, a civil deposition is a part of the discovery process in civil litigation.

The discovery process in Waukee, Iowa is one of the most important parts of the civil litigation process. During the discovery phase, each side of the lawsuit is required to make all of the relevant information it has in its possession available to the other side.

In Waukee, Iowa, one way to get 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 typically 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 specific lines of questioning, if they wish.

Conducting A Civil Deposition in Waukee, Iowa

If the parties believe that a witness in Waukee, Iowa won't be able to show up in court to testify during trial, because of age, poor health, upcoming military deployment, potential incarceration, or any other reason, a deposition is a very good way to get their testimony on the record before the trial. Additionally, if they have to be questioned for several days, it is a good way to save the court's time.

So, it shouldn't be surprising that civil depositions in Waukee, Iowa can often go on for several days. If you are subpoenaed for a deposition in , Iowa, you are typically obligated to appear. This can be a source of some inconvenience.

To help mitigate this inconvenience, Waukee, Iowa permits witnesses who are appearing in depositions to be paid a set amount of money for their time, and reimbursed for travel expenses. However, if there is any evidence that this money is being used to influence a witness' testimony, there is going to be a serious problem: this would amount bribery, and it is a serious offense.

If you are being deposed in Waukee, Iowa you absolutely must answer all the questions truthfully and completely, to the best of your knowledge. You are under oath, and if you lie, and are caught, you could be charged with perjury, which can carry jail time.

How Can A Waukee, Iowa Lawyer Help?

If you are a party to a lawsuit, and are called to a deposition, chances are you're already represented by a , Iowa attorney. Obviously, you should follow their advice with respect to the deposition.

If you're not a party to a lawsuit in Waukee, Iowa, but have knowledge about some of the facts that are at issue in a pending case, you might still be called to appear in a deposition. In that case, you probably don't need to hire a lawyer.