Litigation Lawyers in Westminster

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

Discovery, in Westminster, Maryland is a very important 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 Westminster, Maryland, 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 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 Westminster, Maryland

Depositions are usually conducted in Westminster, Maryland if a person's testimony will take several days, or more, to deliver. By doing this before a trial, the jury can be presented just with the testimony that turns out to be relevant, saving everybody a good deal of time. It is also useful if there is any reason to suspect that the witness will be unable to show up in court.

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

To help deal with this fact, Westminster, 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 favorable to one side, and omitting information that's unfavorable. This would be bribery, and it is highly illegal.

In Westminster, Maryland depositions, everyone being deposed is under oath. This means that you are legally and morally obligated to answer every question truthfully. If you deliberately misrepresent your knowledge (lie), you are guilty of perjury. And if you're caught, you could end up facing jail time and/or some very steep fines.

How Can A Westminster, Maryland Lawyer Help?

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

If you're not a party to a lawsuit in Westminster, Maryland, 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.