Deposition papers are written records or transcripts of testimony given under oath during a deposition, which is an out-of-court legal proceeding. During a deposition, a witness or party involved in a case answers questions posed by attorneys from both sides, and the testimony is recorded by a court reporter. The deposition papers serve as a verbatim written record of this testimony and are used in the discovery process to help prepare for trial by providing a detailed account of what was said under oath outside the courtroom.
What Are Deposition Papers?
- They are transcripts or written documents recording the testimony of a witness or party who answers questions under oath outside of court.
- The testimony is taken down by a court reporter who certifies its accuracy.
- They form part of the evidence and discovery process before a trial.
Purpose and Use
- Deposition papers allow all parties in a lawsuit to preview testimony and evidence, helping avoid surprises during trial.
- They preserve a witness's testimony when a trial might be months or years away, keeping the record fresh.
- These papers can be used to impeach a witness at trial if their court testimony contradicts their deposition.
- Sometimes deposition transcripts are submitted in support of legal motions before trial.
How Deposition Papers Are Created
- The witness or party being questioned (known as the deponent) takes an oath before answering questions.
- The testimony is recorded verbatim by a court reporter, who produces a transcript.
- The transcript can be provided as a physical booklet or digital formats.
Thus, deposition papers are a critical documentation of sworn testimony from outside the courtroom, which assists attorneys in preparing and presenting their cases effectively in trials.
