Litigation Lawyers in Deforest

Civil depositions occur during Deforest, Wisconsin civil litigation, as part of the discovery process.

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

In Deforest, Wisconsin, one way to get relevant evidence is to ask individuals 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 Deforest, Wisconsin

Depositions in Deforest, Wisconsin 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 Deforest, Wisconsin, can take a very long time to be completed, normally lasting several days, and sometimes going on for weeks. So, people who are called to give depositions in Deforest, Wisconsin should be prepared for some considerable inconvenience.

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

If you are called to a deposition in Deforest, Wisconsin, it's absolutely necessary that you answer all the questions truthfully, to the best of your knowledge. When testifying in a deposition, you are under oath, just as you would be in open court. Deliberately lying in a deposition is perjury, which is a serious crime.

How Can A Deforest, Wisconsin Lawyer Help?

If you are the plaintiff or defendant in a lawsuit, you almost certainly already have a Deforest, Wisconsin lawyer. If either party to the lawsuit calls you for a deposition, your lawyer will have plenty of advice for you. You should, of course, follow that advice to the letter.

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 Deforest, Wisconsin. 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.