what does "discovery return/witness list served on lawyer" mean?

by Miss Lydia Ledner V 9 min read

Do you have to request a witness list during discovery?

In other cases, you will have to request a witness list during discovery. If you have to formally request a witness list, you would usually do this in writing as part of your discovery demands. In addition to requesting the names of the witnesses, you may be able to ask for a brief description of what they will testify to.

How is Discovery intended to help the defendant?

Issues regarding settlement aside, discovery is intended to help defendants in the sense that prosecutors must hand over certain information that's helpful to the defense. Does discovery mean that the prosecution has to reveal its case strategy?

What happens after a review of legal discovery answers and responses?

Following a review of legal Discovery answers and responses, the paralegal will make a list and prepare a chart or comprehensive letter addressed to the opposing counsel regarding any discovery deficiencies that are critical to the case.

How is a discovery served on the other party?

Discovery is served (sent) to the other party when you, the propounding party, asks questions under oath, to get them to admit things, to produce documents, etc. The responding party has 30 days to respond.

What does "serving discovery" mean?

Serving discovery simply means sending your verified discovery responses to the opposing sides. "Service" can be done by mail, personal delivery and sometimes fax or email. Your attorney is likely putting your final discovery responses together to serve them by a deadline.

How long does it take for a lawyer to answer a question?

After the questions are sent, the other side will probably have 30 days to answer. Your lawyer's staff can probably explain it to you further.#N#More

How long does it take for a party to respond to a discovery?

The responding party has 30 days to respond.#N#You need to direct your questions to your own lawyer, who knows what you case is...

What is a witness list?

Witness Lists Law and Legal Definition. At the beginning of a jury trial, both parties to the case may be required to submit a list of prospective witnesses. In a criminal case, it may be used to inform prospective jurors of who will likely testify, thus allowing prospective jurors to state if they know any of the witnesses ...

What happens if you don't include a witness in the required witness list?

Failure to include a witness on the required witness lists may result in that witness' testimony being prohibited at trial, or other sanctions. Court rules vary, so requirements in your jurisdiction should be consulted.

What is supplemental witness list?

A supplemental witness list is obligated to be exchanged if any additions or changes are made to the originally supplied list. The following is an example of a federal law governing witness lists: "§ 13.22 Exchange of witness lists, statements, and exhibits.

Interrogatories

An interrogatory is a list of written questions that one party submits to the opposing side to be answered in written format under oath. Once the opposing side receives the interrogatory, they have a maximum of 30 days to provide answers.

Depositions

These are one of the most common modes of discovery. A deposition or “depo,” for short, is a statement submitted under oath, outside of a court of law, by one or more of the participants in a civil case. This can be made via video or written transcript and can be used in the preparation phase of a trial or during the trial itself.

Requests for Admissions

A “request for admission” from one of the parties asks the opposing side to admit or deny a series of very specific, meticulously-worded questions to prove their liability. The allegations the opposing side is required to admit to or deny are typically stated in the original document (the petition or complaint) that was used to file the lawsuit.

Requests for Production

This is undoubtedly one of the most popular modes of discovery and is particularly useful in the e discovery process. In a request for production, one party asks the opposing side to provide tangible evidence including documents or information that may be stored in electronic format.

Informal Discovery

Aside from the information gathering techniques detailed so far, other less formal methods might include collecting evidence from third parties to support the case, due diligence on the opposing side, taking photographs of the incident site, etc.

What is discovery in legal terms?

Discovery, by way of definition in the legal context, is the process during which both parties to a lawsuit are entitled to receive certain facts, documents, and other information (evidence) relative to the matter which is formally exchanged between the parties, usually through their counsel . This important legal tool is intended to eliminate ...

What happens if a paralegal receives a request for discovery initiated by an opposing counsel or party?

If the paralegal receives a request for Discovery initiated by an opposing counsel or party the incoming requests will be reviewed and the paralegal will take responsibility for calendaring the due date on his or her and the attorney’s calendar. The paralegal will note any of the requests that may be objectionable.

What is the basic discovery process?

The basic discovery process includes the primary methods of Disclosure, Interrogatories, Admissions of Facts, Requests for Production, and Depositions. It is important to understand that this is a time-intensive process ...

What is an interrogatory?

Interrogatories (etymologically from the word interrogate) are a set of written questions that must be answered under oath asked by a party in a lawsuit of another party or of a potential witness prior to trial. Requests for Admissions (also called a request to admit) is a written statement sent from one party to the other in a case.

What is electronic discovery?

Today, the majority of documents and data are electronic in nature so you will hear reference to what is known as Electronic Discovery (or E-Discovery) where documents are recovered, stored, and shared in electronic format (PDF , DOC, etc.). Parties in litigation label the documents they produced in Discovery so they can easily refer to ...

Can a deposition be videotaped?

The court reporter will produce a transcript at a later time. A deposition can also be videotaped. This is usually done when a deponent is very ill and may not be well enough for trial, or if the deponent will be out of town or otherwise unavailable during the scheduled trial.

What can an expert witness do?

Unlike any other witnesses who can only testify about what they have seen, felt, heard, smelled, touched, etc., expert witnesses can draw conclusions and give their opinions as part of their testimony. Experts can be useful in cases that involve domestic violence.

Can an expert witness testify at trial?

Even if the judge agrees to qualify the person as an expert witness, thereby allowing him/her to testify at trial, your research might lead you to other things in the expert witness’s background that you could use to discredit the testimony of the expert witness.