Litigation Lawyers in Fruitland

A civil deposition in Fruitland, Maryland occurs in many civil litigation cases, as part of the discovery process.

Discovery, in Fruitland, Maryland is a very crucial 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 Fruitland, Maryland, one way to acquire 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 Fruitland, Maryland

Depositions in Fruitland, Maryland are meant to get verbal testimony on the record and into evidence, when there is concern that the person 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 Fruitland, Maryland can sometimes go on for days, and occasionally even weeks. If you are required to appear for a deposition in Fruitland, Maryland, it can prove to be a substantial inconvenience.

To help deal with this fact, Fruitland, Maryland allows witnesses who are being deposed to be compensated for their time. They can be reimbursed for lodging, travel expenses, and given a small amount of money for their time. Remember, however, that this money is most definitely NOT conditioned on the witness giving testimony that's advantageous to one side, and omitting information that's unfavorable. This would be bribery, and it is highly illegal.

If you are called to a deposition in Fruitland, Maryland, it's absolutely imperative 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 Fruitland, Maryland Lawyer Help?

If you are the plaintiff or defendant in a lawsuit, you almost certainly already have a Fruitland, Maryland lawyer. If either party to the lawsuit calls you for a deposition, your lawyer will have plenty of advice for you. You should, of course, follow that advice to the letter.

If you're not a party to the case, but have relevant information, you might be subpoenaed to appear in a deposition. In this case, you probably don't need to hire a Fruitland, Maryland litigation attorney, but it would not be a bad idea to seek out a brief consultation with one, to get an idea of what to expect.