What To Expect: Commonly Asked Deposition Questions

A deposition is an important part of the overall legal process for both criminal and civil cases. Depositions will involve answering questions under oath, with the only difference being that you are in a boardroom as opposed to a courtroom. You will generally have your own representation and will have to answer questions from both parties.

For those who wonder what to expect during a deposition, understanding what questions you will be asked is important. There are several types of common deposition questions that are typically asked during one of these meetings. 

Introductory Questions

Generally, a deposition starts with a variety of introductory questions. These will include having you confirm your identity, confirming that you understand the implications of the deposition, and other questions to ensure that you are fit to answer the questions that you are asked. These questions can also ask some basic to high-level personal information about your employment, relationship with parties on trial, education history, and other items.

Questions About Preparation

It is also common for you to have questions asked about how you prepared for the deposition. The other party will want to confirm that you have spoken with counsel, are familiar with the case, and ensure that you have not spoken to any press or unnecessary parties about the trial.

Case-Specific Questions

The bulk of the questions will be more specific about the case at hand. You will likely have been brought into a deposition because of your awareness of the case that is being discussed. Whether you are a plaintiff, defendant, witness, or another party, one side of the case will try to poke holes into your answers. Due to this, it is important that you always answer the questions asked, but do not provide more detail than necessary.  

It is also extremely important that you are honest. When you answer questions under oath and during a deposition, you could find yourself in trouble for perjury if you knowingly answer a question dishonestly. When you have your own counsel, they will provide the support you need to answer tricky questions and to ensure you are properly prepared for the process. 

A deposition is a very important question-and-answer session that takes place during a civil or criminal trial proceeding. While you will not be in the courtroom during it, your answers are binding, and you will be under oath. The answers can then be taken into consideration by a judge or jury. There are various deposition questions in particular that you should be aware of as they are commonly asked during one of these proceedings. 

Categorised in: Legal Depositions

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