Lawyers
What is Deposition?
Definition
A deposition is sworn out-of-court testimony taken during discovery, transcribed by a court reporter and often video-recorded. Attorneys use depositions to lock in witness statements, evaluate credibility and gather admissions that can be used later at trial.
Real-World Example
A plaintiff in a wrongful termination case is deposed for six hours. Two years later at trial, the defense reads back a single line from that transcript to impeach the plaintiff's credibility.
Why It Matters
Depositions win and lose cases before trial. Preparation with counsel is essential — off-the-cuff answers become permanent record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to answer every question?
You must answer unless counsel instructs otherwise (privilege, harassment, form). Refusing without a basis can lead to sanctions.