Litigation Lawyers in Fitchburg

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

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

In Fitchburg, Wisconsin, 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 Fitchburg, Wisconsin

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

To mitigate this, the law of Fitchburg, Wisconsin 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.

When giving a deposition in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, 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. Thus, if you lie, you are committing perjury, which can land you in jail.

How Can A Fitchburg, Wisconsin Lawyer Help?

If you're a party to a Fitchburg, Wisconsin lawsuit and are required to appear at a deposition, one would hope that you've already retained a lawyer by this stage in the proceedings. Your attorney will have a lot of advice for you, which you should of course follow.

If you're not a party to a lawsuit in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, but have knowledge about some of the facts that are at issue in a pending case, you might still be called to appear in a deposition. In that case, you probably don't need to hire a lawyer.