What is a deposition in the legal context?

A deposition is a crucial legal step in the pretrial process where a formal statement is taken under oath from a witness. This is typically conducted outside of the courtroom and is often part of the discovery phase, allowing lawyers from both sides to gather information, clarify facts, and evaluate the strength of their respective cases. During a deposition, the witness’s responses are recorded, and these recordings can be used later in court as evidence, particularly if the witness is unable to attend the trial or if their testimony changes.

This process is distinct from other legal concepts, such as statements made by jurors during deliberation, which focus on jury processes and are not typically subject to public record or utilized outside that context. Similarly, documents presenting evidence in court relate to filed materials that support arguments but do not encompass the formal process of collecting a witness's testimony. Lastly, a judgment made by a judge refers to a decision or ruling finalized after considering all evidence and legal arguments, rather than the preparatory gathering of information that occurs during depositions.