Litigation Lawyers in Milwaukee
Civil depositions occur during Milwaukee, Wisconsin civil litigation, as part of the discovery process.
"Discovery" is a process that occurs before a trial in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During the discovery process, both sides are required to make relevant information available to each other.
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
If the parties believe that a witness in Milwaukee, Wisconsin 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. Also, if they have to be questioned for several days, it is a good way to save the court's time.
Civil Depositions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin can sometimes go on for days, and occasionally even weeks. If you are required to appear for a deposition in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it can prove to be a significant inconvenience.
To help deal with this fact, Milwaukee, 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 favorable 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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it's absolutely essential 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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lawyer Help?
If you are the plaintiff or defendant in a lawsuit, you almost certainly already have a Milwaukee, 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 involved in the lawsuit, you might still have to appear at a deposition, if you have information that's relevant to the case in Milwaukee, 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.