If you find yourself embroiled in a lawsuit, either as a litigant or a witness, you may not be familiar with the process of gathering information prior to the actual court proceedings. It may surprise you to learn that you have to tell your story to the lawyers prior to ever going to court. In Florida, whether or not a case even goes to trial may be determined during the depositions Miami attorneys conduct.
If you are involved in a lawsuit for the first time, you may be unfamiliar with the deposition process. It is important that you prepare your testimony prior to the actual meeting. You will be under oath and may be asked all kinds of questions. Everything you say during this time may be introduced into court. Your attorney will go through the process with you before you have to appear.
The most important thing you can do is tell the truth. The lawyers for the other side will be verifying your testimony for accuracy and truthfulness. Even if one of the attorneys brings up something that is embarrassing or less than flattering, you should never deny or try to evade a truthful answer to their questions. Your best option is complete honesty.
You also want to be as accurate as possible when you are describing events surrounding the particulars of the case. It is fine to request that a question be repeated or asked a different way. Sometimes witnesses think they have to come up with an answer even when they don't remember. This is not true. If you are unsure or don't know something, that should be your answer.
Unless you are absolutely certain of something, you should avoid giving an absolute answer to an attorney's question. These are often the statements that the opposing side pounces on. If even one little part of the statement turns out to be contradictory to other facts in the case, your credibility will be damaged.
It is common for lawyers to introduce documents during a deposition. If you are asked whether or not you have ever seen a document, or whether it is an accurate representation of something you have signed, you should always read it before you give an answer. Even though it may look familiar, mistakes happen and inaccurate records get into court cases.
You need to be polite and cooperative during this process. It is important that you leave both sides with a good impression of your ability to recall events accurately and truthfully. Getting angry or defensive can be hurtful to your testimony. Becoming emotional may be inevitable, but you should maintain your composure as much as possible.
Being involved in a lawsuit is never easy and seldom pleasant. The deposition process is a time for you to tell your part of the story truthfully and completely. Lawyers for both sides may decide to settle based partly on the strength of your testimony.
If you are involved in a lawsuit for the first time, you may be unfamiliar with the deposition process. It is important that you prepare your testimony prior to the actual meeting. You will be under oath and may be asked all kinds of questions. Everything you say during this time may be introduced into court. Your attorney will go through the process with you before you have to appear.
The most important thing you can do is tell the truth. The lawyers for the other side will be verifying your testimony for accuracy and truthfulness. Even if one of the attorneys brings up something that is embarrassing or less than flattering, you should never deny or try to evade a truthful answer to their questions. Your best option is complete honesty.
You also want to be as accurate as possible when you are describing events surrounding the particulars of the case. It is fine to request that a question be repeated or asked a different way. Sometimes witnesses think they have to come up with an answer even when they don't remember. This is not true. If you are unsure or don't know something, that should be your answer.
Unless you are absolutely certain of something, you should avoid giving an absolute answer to an attorney's question. These are often the statements that the opposing side pounces on. If even one little part of the statement turns out to be contradictory to other facts in the case, your credibility will be damaged.
It is common for lawyers to introduce documents during a deposition. If you are asked whether or not you have ever seen a document, or whether it is an accurate representation of something you have signed, you should always read it before you give an answer. Even though it may look familiar, mistakes happen and inaccurate records get into court cases.
You need to be polite and cooperative during this process. It is important that you leave both sides with a good impression of your ability to recall events accurately and truthfully. Getting angry or defensive can be hurtful to your testimony. Becoming emotional may be inevitable, but you should maintain your composure as much as possible.
Being involved in a lawsuit is never easy and seldom pleasant. The deposition process is a time for you to tell your part of the story truthfully and completely. Lawyers for both sides may decide to settle based partly on the strength of your testimony.
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