Litigation Lawyers in Greensburg

Depositions are part of the discovery procedure in Greensburg, Pennsylvania civil litigation.

"Discovery" is a procedure that happens before a trial in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. During the discovery process, both sides are obligated to make relevant information available to each other.

In Greensburg, 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 Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Depositions in Greensburg, Pennsylvania serve a very significant purpose: receiving 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, possible incarceration, or any other reason.

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

To mitigate this, the law of Greensburg, 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 provide testimony that's favorable to one side or the other.

In Greensburg, Pennsylvania 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 extremely steep fines.

How Can A Greensburg, Pennsylvania Lawyer Help?

If you are directly involved in a lawsuit in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, 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 a party to the lawsuit, but are subpoenaed to testify in a deposition, you should at least contact with a Greensburg, Pennsylvania attorney, who can advise you on how to proceed.