4 Mistakes To Avoid When Giving A Deposition

18 March 2015
 Categories: Law, Blog


If you're involved in a legal dispute, you may be forced to give a deposition. This can be a nerve-wracking event that is typically held at an attorney's office. It is part of the discovery process that must be completed when you are involved in civil litigation. In order to be successful when providing the deposition, you must be able to avoid a number of common mistakes when giving it.

Mistake #1: Talking too much

One of the worse things you can do is talk too much when giving your deposition. It's important not to provide too many details which could be misinterpreted by the attorney for the other party.

The more you say during the deposition, the more that could be used against you. So, it's best to provide brief answers, such as yes and no, during this meeting.

Mistake #2: Being impolite

You may not want to be nice to the attorney who is completing the deposition because of the role this person plays. However, it is in your best interest to provide a calm demeanor when attending the deposition. This will help you look more professional and less like a person who would have been the cause of the legal dispute.

Mistake #3: Not meeting with attorney

It's important to prepare in advance for the deposition by consulting with your lawyer ahead of time. You can consider discussing some of the items listed below:

  1. The length of the deposition.
  2. The possible questions that may be asked during this meeting.
  3. The parties who will be attending the deposition.
  4. If you can bring another person with you.

Mistake #4: Not showing up on time

It's important to be at the deposition when you should be. It's ideal to arrive at least 15 minutes early to be able to relax a bit after the drive.

Showing up late will give the attorney a bad impression of you and how well you achieve your responsibilities. It's always important to give a good impression when you are dealing with a legal matter.

Finally, you can have success at your deposition by doing the right things rather than the one wrongs. Take the time to do your research and prepare in advance by meeting with your personal injury attorney. This can allow you to know what to do and say when you get to the attorney's office for the inquires that will follow. For more information, contact a local law firm like Daniels Long & Pinsel


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