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.
It may be simple advice, but attorneys continue to be amazed by the number of deposed individuals who ignore it. You should tell the whole truth at all times. Even if an opposing attorney brings up a subject that offends or embarrasses you, evading the question or telling some version of the truth will probably end up causing you problems and loss of credibility.
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.
You need to be careful about giving absolute answers when you are being deposed. You will leave yourself open to contradiction if the case goes to court. Unless you are completely sure of the facts, it is best to give the most truthful answer without stating it in absolute terms. You can destroy your credibility if the opposing legal team finds information to dispute your absolute claim.
Very often pertinent documents are introduced into court cases in order to prove some aspect of the suit. You might be asked to look at certain documents during a deposition and give your testimony as to whether it is your signature on the paperwork. You might also be asked if the document is familiar to you. You should take all the time you need to read through the paperwork closely before you give an answer.
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.
It may be simple advice, but attorneys continue to be amazed by the number of deposed individuals who ignore it. You should tell the whole truth at all times. Even if an opposing attorney brings up a subject that offends or embarrasses you, evading the question or telling some version of the truth will probably end up causing you problems and loss of credibility.
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.
You need to be careful about giving absolute answers when you are being deposed. You will leave yourself open to contradiction if the case goes to court. Unless you are completely sure of the facts, it is best to give the most truthful answer without stating it in absolute terms. You can destroy your credibility if the opposing legal team finds information to dispute your absolute claim.
Very often pertinent documents are introduced into court cases in order to prove some aspect of the suit. You might be asked to look at certain documents during a deposition and give your testimony as to whether it is your signature on the paperwork. You might also be asked if the document is familiar to you. You should take all the time you need to read through the paperwork closely before you give an answer.
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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