Litigation Lawyers in Lackawanna County

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

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

In Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, one way to acquire relevant evidence is to ask persons 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 Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

If the parties believe that a witness in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania 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.

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

To mitigate this, the law of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania typically 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 advantageous to one side or the other.

In Lackawanna County, 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 very steep fines.

How Can A Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania Lawyer Help?

If you are directly engaged in a lawsuit in Lackawanna County, 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 during the deposition.

If, on the other hand, you're not directly engaged in the case, but have been subpoenaed to appear in a deposition as a witness in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, you may not need to hire a lawyer. The lawyers for both sides will probably prep you for the deposition, giving you an idea of what to expect.