Litigation Lawyers in Greencastle

Depositions are part of the discovery process in Greencastle, Pennsylvania civil litigation.

"Discovery" is a process that occurs before a trial in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. During the discovery process, both sides are required to make relevant information available to each other.

In Greencastle, Pennsylvania, one way to obtain relevant evidence is to ask people involved in the dispute (both parties and witnesses) about their knowledge of the matter. This is done through a civil deposition. It is essentially a question and answer session between a lawyer, and a witness or party to the action. A lawyer for the other side is present, as well as a court reporter or videographer. The lawyer asks questions of the person being deposed, who must answer them under oath.

Conducting A Civil Deposition in Greencastle, Pennsylvania

Depositions in Greencastle, Pennsylvania serve a very important purpose: getting testimony on the record, and admitted as evidence, when there is some reason to suspect that the witness won't be able to appear in court during trial, because of health, potential incarceration, or any other reason.

Civil Depositions in Greencastle, Pennsylvania can sometimes go on for days, and occasionally even weeks. If you are required to appear for a deposition in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, it can prove to be a significant inconvenience.

To mitigate this, the law of Greencastle, Pennsylvania usually entitles people being deposed to reimbursement. They can be compensated for travel expenses, lodging, and a can be given a small amount of money simply for their time. However, this is meant to be reimbursement for the time and expense incurred in attending a deposition, and it is most definitely not payment for the witness to give testimony that's favorable to one side or the other.

When giving a deposition in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, be sure to answer all of the questions honestly, and to the absolute best of your knowledge. You will be sworn in before the deposition begins, and you will be under oath, just as if you were in open court. So, if you lie, you are committing perjury, which can land you in jail.

How Can A Greencastle, Pennsylvania Lawyer Help?

If you are the defendant or plaintiff in a lawsuit, chances are good that you'll have to appear in a deposition. You should, by this point, already be represented by a Greencastle, Pennsylvania civil litigation attorney. You should do whatever they tell you to do (unless, of course, they tell you to lie, in which case you should find a new lawyer).

If you are not a party to the case, but are subpoenaed to testify in a deposition, you should at least consult with a Greencastle, Pennsylvania attorney, who can advise you on how to proceed.