what does it mean when you lawyer says we will read the depostion transcript

by Estelle Murray PhD 9 min read

Let’s say you’re the plaintiff and you were deposed by the defendant’s lawyer. Your lawyer will receive the original deposition transcript and probably a copy. She will let you know that it’s in and will arrange to get it to you (or get you to it), because you do get to read it.

Full Answer

How long does a deponent have to review a transcript?

Oct 16, 2014 · Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30 (e), the deponent does not have an automatic right to review the transcript. Review must be specifically requested before the conclusion of the deposition, or it is waived. Upon request, the deponent is allowed 30 days after notification to review the transcript and make changes.

Does a deponent have a right to a deposition transcript?

May 28, 2020 · 1- Wait for the court reporter to provide you with the deposition transcript 2- Get any additional documents or exhibits from the witness 3- Your lawyer will read the deposition transcript 4- You must read the deposition transcript 5- Settle any objections raised during the witness’ testimony 6- Review and reassess your legal strategy

What kind of information can a lawyer get from a deposition?

read the deposition aloud into the record. You cannot read a deposition into evidence unless a deposition original (or a copy that has been signed and certified by the court reporter) is filed with the court before it is read into evidence. Many jurisdictions today provide that the original deposition cannot be filed in court until it is to be used in court, so it is up to you – the attorney …

How long does it take to read a deposition transcript?

Sep 16, 2013 · Here’s what happens after a deposition, when a transcript has been provided by the court stenographer, i.e., when there’s a deposition one can read. The lawyer who conducted the deposition — subpoenaed the deponent, scheduled it with the opposition lawyer (and often re-scheduled it because there are always difficulties in getting everyone into a conference room …

What does it mean to read deposition?

So, while the deponent (the person being asked the questions at the deposition) has the right to read and then sign off on the corrected transcript of their pre-trial testimony, such action is usually waived.Apr 27, 2008

How long does it take to read a deposition transcript?

Shortening time for the witness to read Keep in mind that most reporters will produce the transcript in eight to fourteen days from the date of the deposition as a usual turnaround time. Then you need to add 30 days from that completion date for the witness to read and correct the transcript unless they waive reading.

What does it mean to read or waive deposition?

If the deponent does not sign the transcript within 30 days, the court reporter will merely state on the record that signature was “waived.” The deposition may then be used as if it were signed.

What does it mean to be read into evidence?

A recorded recollection (sometimes referred to as a prior recollection recorded), in the law of evidence, is an exception to the hearsay rule which allows witnesses to testify to the accuracy of a recording or documentation of their own out-of-court statement based on their recollection of the circumstances under which ...

How do you read a deposition?

Often judges will include in a pre-trial order that you must designate the deposition and parts of them you want to read into evidence....The basic legal procedure:file original deposition,ask the judge for permission,explain any failure to designate,read the deposition aloud into the record.

What does digesting a deposition mean?

Digesting a deposition describes the process of creating a shorter or more relevant copy of the deposition. This version of the deposition will be easier to read and presents only the items which are most relevant to your case.May 7, 2021

What happens when deposition occurs?

Deposition refers to the process in which a gas changes directly to a solid without going through the liquid state. For example, when warm moist air inside a house comes into contact with a freezing cold windowpane, water vapor in the air changes to tiny ice crystals.Jul 3, 2019

Can both sides ask questions in a deposition?

The Discovery Process In discovery, both sides ask questions that they believe will help prove or disprove the case. The questions come in the form of: Interrogatories – These are written questions that are filed with the court.Sep 29, 2017

Is deposition a chemical?

In chemistry, deposition occurs when molecules settle out of a solution. Deposition can be viewed as a reverse process to dissolution or particle re-entrainment. It is a phase change from the gaseous state to a solid, without passing through the liquid state, also called re-sublimation.

What does read into the record mean?

1 to comprehend the meaning of (something written or printed) by looking at and interpreting the written or printed characters. 2 to be occupied in such an activity.

What is the purpose of deposition designations?

Deposition designations are simply an identification, by page and line number, of any important testimony that one party intends to introduce into evidence at trial – usually a video clip.Mar 30, 2022

How do you read evidence law?

The only way to understand the law of evidence is to try cases, watch others try cases, and read about the law of evidence in treatises, practice guides, the statutes themselves, and the case law. You must do all of these things, and nothing else can take their place.

What happens after a deposition?

After a deposition, the following happens:1- Wait for the court reporter to provide you with the deposition transcript2- Get any additional documen...

Do most cases settle after a deposition?

Every case is different. However, when a key witness is deposed and provides key testimony or communicates crucial documents or evidence, every tri...

What comes after a deposition?

The most important thing that comes after a deposition is your case review and reassessment. Depositions are generally held during the discovery ph...

How long does it take to settle a lawsuit after deposition?

There is no set timeline for how long it may take to settle a case after a deposition. Every case is different. Often, the depositions reveal impor...

When preparing for a deposition, particularly a deposition in a case in which you are not the

When preparing for a deposition, particularly a deposition in a case in which you are not the primary handling attorney, it is important to ascertain where the case was filed. There are important differences between the California and the Federal rules regarding the handling of the original transcript and the right of a deponent to review and make changes.

Can a deponent review a transcript?

Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30 (e), the deponent does not have an automatic right to review the transcript. Review must be specifically requested before the conclusion of the deposition, or it is waived. Upon request, the deponent is allowed 30 days after notification to review the transcript and make changes.

Why should a lawyer read a transcript?

Even though the lawyers will carefully review the transcript, the client or party to the case should also read the transcript to better understand the testimony of the witness. This can be quite helpful for the lawyer in the case.

What happens in parallel to the lawyer and client reading the transcript and evaluating the witness’ testimony?

In parallel to the lawyer and client reading the transcript and evaluating the witness’ testimony, the parties may need to resolve objections raised against some questions asked to the witness during the deposition.

Why are depositions important?

Depositions are crucial in helping parties bolster their case by finding additional factual grounds in support of the legal theories. Depositions happen during the discovery phase of a lawsuit and it’s a stage where relevant witnesses are called to provide an account of what they know about a case.

What is a deposition hearing?

A deposition or examination is a hearing where witnesses testify under oath. Depositions are taken during the discovery stage of a legal action and they are generally conducted outside of the courtroom.

What is the first step after a deposition?

The first step after a deposition is to wait for the deposition transcript to be prepared by the court reporter or stenographer. The court reporter is a person who attends the deposition, takes the oath of the witness and records every word spoken during the deposition. After the deposition, within a few weeks, ...

Why is it important to summarize a transcript?

This is a very important step as the lawyers will attempt to use statements made by the witness under oath in their favor or to the detriment of the other party. Lawyers will generally want to summarize the transcript in such a way that they can extract the most valuable content.

What is transcription review?

Once the transcript is communicated by the court reporter, the lawyers to the case will carefully review the transcript and assess the witness’ testimony in detail. With the transcript in hand, the lawyers will be able to catch the subtleties and nuances in what the witness had revealed.

What is the form called when you read a transcript?

You get to do more than read it: you read it and on a form that came with the transcript but is not attached to it, a form usually called an errata sheet (errata = mistakes), you will make note of any mistakes the stenographer might have made, and will write out your corrections.

What is important about deposition testimony?

That’s what is so crucially important about deposition testimony: it is graven, if not in rock, onto printer paper and you don’t get to highlight and delete. After you’ve filled in your errata sheets, you will sign them and a separate page at the end of the transcript — swearing to the truth — in front of a notary public.

Do lawyers get deposition transcripts?

Your lawyer will receive the original deposition transcript and probably a copy. She will let you know that it’s in and will arrange to get it to you (or get you to it), because you do get to read it.

Can you read a transcript after a deposition?

Short answer to the question: Yes. Longer answer to the question: Yes but … huh? Here’s what happens after a deposition, when a transcript has been provided by the court stenographer, i.e., when there’s a deposition one can read.

Can you read errata sheets at a lawyer deposition?

All of that is true, as well, when your lawyer deposes the defendant (s). For these transcripts, though, although you won’t be doing an errata sheet, you should without question read them, and read them carefully. ( You should have been at the defendant’s deposition anyway, as I’ve said so many time s before.

What questions does the attorney ask a witness during a deposition?

During the deposition, one side’s attorney asks a witness a series of questions as to the witness’s knowledge of facts, circumstances, and events relevant to the case. The witness can be the other party, someone the other party claims to have relevant knowledge, or an expert whose opinions and conclusions are sought.

What is a deposition in court?

A deposition is the taking of out-of-court testimony of a witness. After a civil litigation has been filed, each side, as part of the process known as discovery, is permitted to question the other side. This questioning pertains to facts, witnesses, and evidence the other side may intend to use in court proceedings. During the deposition, one side’s attorney asks a witness a series of questions as to the witness’s knowledge of facts, circumstances, and events relevant to the case.

What is the person who videotapes a deposition called?

The person videotaping the deposition is called a videographer. During the deposition, a witness must truthfully answer questions asked of them. After the attorney for one side completes their deposition of the other party, the other party’s attorney may then ask their client questions.

What is the basis of an objection?

Questions that suggest or lead a witness to an answer, or that imply a fact that has not been established, can serve as the basis of an objection. While the attorneys are speaking to each other, the witness should not be speaking. The witness should answer the questions being asked of them,and only those questions.

Why do you use a deposition at trial?

A party may use the deposition at trial to demonstrate a witness testifying at trial is not being truthful. Trial testimony on a given question may vary from how the question was answered during the deposition. A lawyer may point out these discrepancies to call the witness’ credibility into question.

How long do witnesses have to answer questions?

Witnesses must be prepared to answer questions for a potential period of several hours. During this time, the attorneys may object to the form of each others’ questions.

What is the purpose of a deposition?

The purpose of a deposition is to obtain answers to the attorney’s questions, from a witness, who is sworn in, under oath. During the deposition, a court reporter takes notes of the proceeding. These notes consist of word-for-word recording of what the witness says.These notes are then assembled into a deposition transcript.

Why do attorneys ask questions during depositions?

Your attorney may ask questions of you during the deposition, but typically your attorney will only ask questions of you in order to clarify a confusing answer. Like opposing counsel, your attorney may schedule and take depositions to help build your case. If there are some issues about your case that you consider worrisome, ...

What is a deposition in court?

What Is a Deposition? A deposition is pre-trial oral testimony taken under oath. In a deposition, the opposing attorney (counsel) will ask you various questions, and those questions and your answers will be recorded by an official court reporter. There is little difference between testimony at a deposition and testimony in the courtroom, ...

Why do opposing counsel take depositions?

Depositions are extremely useful to opposing counsel. In a deposition, the opposing counsel will want to find out what you know regarding the issues in your lawsuit so that they can prepare for your testimony in advance of trial. The testimony you give in a deposition may be read at trial, so opposing counsel hopes to catch you in a lie or omission, because, if they were to do so, they could claim at trial that you are not a truthful person. Having established your dishonest character, they could then argue that your testimony should not be accepted as evidence of any of the important questions at trial. Remember, opposing counsel has every right to take your deposition for these purposes.

What to do if you are asked to supply documents?

If you are asked to supply documents or information, refer the opposing counsel to your attorney. Do not reach into your pocket for a social security card, driver’s license, or any other document, unless your attorney requests that you do so.

What to do if you don't know all the details?

You aren't expected to know all the details: If you do not know all the details, relax. Simply state what you do know and leave out the details. Do not give an answer that requires you to consult records not available at the deposition or requiring you to consult your friends and associates for the answer.

What to say when you don't know the answer to a question?

Don't guess: If you do not know the answer to a question, you should say that you do not know. You have a right to confer with your lawyer: At any time during the deposition, you will have the right to speak with your attorney privately regarding the question and your answer. Do not hesitate to exercise this right.

What are some suggestions for a deposition?

The following are suggestions to help you prepare to give you deposition: Always tell the truth: Failure to tell the truth in a deposition constitutes perjury, which is a felony. It can also damage your case if the truth comes out at trial.

What is a notice of deposition?

What is a deposition and what does that mean for you, the witness? A deposition is the legal term for a formal, recorded, question and answer session which occurs when the witness is under oath. A deposition generally serves two purposes: (1) find out what you know; and (2) preserve your testimony for later use (either in motions to be filed with the Court or at trial). The person asking the questions, the examiner, will ask a series of questions aimed at obtaining information which will help his or her client prove their case. But what if you are not a party to the lawsuit? Doesn’t matter- the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure allow parties to a lawsuit to take the deposition of any person twenty days after a lawsuit has been filed.

How long after a lawsuit can you take a deposition in Indiana?

Doesn’t matter- the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure allow parties to a lawsuit to take the deposition of any person twenty days after a lawsuit has been filed. Although being on the hot seat will certainly be slightly uncomfortable, if you keep these tips in mind, the deposition is likely to go smoothly. 1. Prepare.

What is the job of a witness?

Your job as the witness is to make the examiner ask good questions. If you do not understand the question, do not answer and ask the examiner to rephrase. If the examiner makes a statement and then pauses, you do not need to say anything. No question, no answer. A deposition is not a conversation.

What should your response be limited to?

Answer Only as to What You Know. Your response should be limited to what you saw, heard, or did. You can only answer to your perception or memory of a situation or series of events. You should not provide conclusions or opinions on a subject matter (unless you are serving as an expert witness).

What to do if you are not a party to a lawsuit?

If you are not a party to the lawsuit and do not have representation, retain an attorney for the limited purpose of defending you in your deposition. Prior to the deposition, meet with your attorney for a preparation session. Ask him or her to provide expected topics and go over sample questions.

Can you review a deposition transcript?

Typically, unless waived, you will have the right to review the deposition transcript and correct any errors in your testimony when the transcript becomes available. 4. Answer Only the Question Presented. Your job as the witness is to make the examiner ask good questions.

Can a court reporter record inaudible responses?

The Court Reporter documenting the deposition strives to capture a complete and accurate recording of your responses. However, the Court Reporter cannot capture inaudible responses so it is imperative that you provide oral responses and avoid “uh-huhs” or inaudible head nods.