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 have never been deposed, your attorney will meet with you in advance of the deposition date to explain how the process works and what you can expect. The two of you may go over possible questions, but the lawyer should never coach you or tell you what to say. Preparation is essential if you are going to be a viable witness in the courtroom.
Telling the truth as plainly and as simply as you can is very important. This is not the time to embellish the facts or try to impress the lawyers with your assumptions. The opposing side might bring up events that don't flatter or present you in the best light. This may be a sign they know something about you that is going to come out in court.
You should choose your words carefully when you are asked a question. Accuracy is extremely important when you are recounting events involved in a lawsuit. You don't have to be afraid to ask a lawyer to repeat a question or phrase it another way. If you don't know the answer to a question, you should say so instead to trying to make up what you think is a plausible 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.
Documents, pertinent to a case, are often introduced as evidence. During a deposition you may be asked if a particular document looks familiar to you or if you signed it. It is very important that you look the paperwork over carefully before giving your answer. The wrong answer could strongly affect the outcome of the case.
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.
Unlike television dramas, there are few surprises in real life court cases. Lawyers already know what witnesses are going to say. It helps when those being deposed under oath respond with truthful answers. A complete set of facts makes the legal process go forward more smoothly.
If you have never been deposed, your attorney will meet with you in advance of the deposition date to explain how the process works and what you can expect. The two of you may go over possible questions, but the lawyer should never coach you or tell you what to say. Preparation is essential if you are going to be a viable witness in the courtroom.
Telling the truth as plainly and as simply as you can is very important. This is not the time to embellish the facts or try to impress the lawyers with your assumptions. The opposing side might bring up events that don't flatter or present you in the best light. This may be a sign they know something about you that is going to come out in court.
You should choose your words carefully when you are asked a question. Accuracy is extremely important when you are recounting events involved in a lawsuit. You don't have to be afraid to ask a lawyer to repeat a question or phrase it another way. If you don't know the answer to a question, you should say so instead to trying to make up what you think is a plausible 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.
Documents, pertinent to a case, are often introduced as evidence. During a deposition you may be asked if a particular document looks familiar to you or if you signed it. It is very important that you look the paperwork over carefully before giving your answer. The wrong answer could strongly affect the outcome of the case.
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.
Unlike television dramas, there are few surprises in real life court cases. Lawyers already know what witnesses are going to say. It helps when those being deposed under oath respond with truthful answers. A complete set of facts makes the legal process go forward more smoothly.
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