Court Reporter
Depositions typically take place at an attorney’s office with the assistance of reporter, like a court reporter, and are usually several hours. During a deposition, an attorney will ask you several different questions about a legal case. A deposition will help the attorney understand the case better and prepare for trial. What you say during a deposition is very important, so you should listen to each questions carefully and provide honest and detailed answers.
If you have to give a sworn testimony soon, you may feel pretty nervous. Just about everyone feels apprehensive about providing depositions. However, if you prepare yourself for the deposition, things will go a lot smoother.
How to Prepare for a Deposition
If you have any questions or concerns before a deposition, do not hesitate to bring them up to your lawyer. He or she can explain the process more thoroughly so that you know what to expect. Your lawyer may even bring up questions that will be brought up at the deposition.
No matter what, you should always provide accurate and truthful answers to the questions you are asked during a deposition. Keep your answers brief and do not offer up information beyond the scope of the questions. If you do not understand a question, do not be afraid to ask for clarification. If you don’t know the answer to a question or can’t remember something, say so. You never want to make any information up during a deposition.
Try to be as calm as possible during your deposition. The more relaxed you are, the easier the process will be. If you start to feel overwhelmed or tired, don’t hesitate to ask for a break. You can take a few minutes to get a drink of water and compose yourself.
Giving a testimony may seem scary at first, but it is not so bad. It will be over before you know it. Just make sure to answer each question truthfully and do not be afraid to speak up if you don’t understand something.
It may be in your best interest to hire a lawyer to guide you through the deposition process and protect your rights. He or she will attend the deposition with you and make sure that you are not asked any illegal questions. Having a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer on your side might make you feel a lot better about the situation.
