Understanding Deposition Objections
In the legal world, a deposition is essentially a witness interview conducted under oath. It’s transcribed by a court reporter and can be used later at trial. Depositions are part of the “discovery” phase of a lawsuit, where each side gathers information to build their case. The process involves following specific rules, like issuing a subpoena to the witness, notifying the other side of the deposition, and having a court reporter present to record everything.
So, why are deposition objections so important? They’re a crucial tool for protecting your client’s rights during this process. They help you control the scope of questioning, prevent the opposing attorney from harassing your witness, and preserve your ability to challenge certain testimony later on. If you don’t object during the deposition, you might lose your chance to object to that evidence at trial. If your attorney doesn’t raise those deposition objections, then you can’t raise them later.
There are many different types of objections you might hear at a deposition. Common deposition objections include objections to the form of the question, its relevance, or because it violates some privilege. Other frequent objections include “asked and answered,” “harassment,” “calls for a legal conclusion,” “speculation,” and “improper characterization.”
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