Litigation Lawyers in Essex Junction

Civil depositions occur during Essex Junction, Vermont civil litigation, as part of the discovery process.

In Essex Junction, Vermont, "discovery" is a process that occurs before a civil trial, during which both sides are required to disclose relevant evidence to the other.

In Essex Junction, Vermont, 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 normally 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 particular lines of questioning, if they wish.

Conducting A Civil Deposition in Essex Junction, Vermont

If the parties believe that a witness in Essex Junction, Vermont 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. Furthermore, if they have to be questioned for several days, it is a good way to save the court's time.

Civil Depositions in Essex Junction, Vermont can sometimes go on for days, and occasionally even weeks. If you are required to appear for a deposition in Essex Junction, Vermont, it can prove to be a considerable inconvenience.

To mitigate this, the law of Essex Junction, Vermont normally 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 beneficial to one side or the other.

When giving a deposition in Essex Junction, Vermont, 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. Therefore, if you lie, you are committing perjury, which can land you in jail.

How Can A Essex Junction, Vermont Lawyer Help?

If you are directly immersed in a lawsuit in Essex Junction, Vermont, 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 you are not directly immersed in the lawsuit, you might still have to appear at a deposition, if you have information that's relevant to the case in Essex Junction, Vermont. You probably don't need to hire a lawyer in that case, but it might be a good idea to at least get a consultation from one.