What is Discovery?
A lawsuit is commenced when a Complaint is filed. After the Complaint is filed both sides will begin conducting an investigation which is called Discovery. This is the opportunity for both sides to gather all of the information about the case, both good and bad. It is important to know all of the good facts and all of the bad facts when preparing for trial.
There are many different discovery methods available to learn about witnesses, videos, photographs, prior issues of a similar nature, and facts that may help your case including, but not limited to:
Interrogatories
Request For Production
Requests For Admissions
Depositions
Interrogatories are written questions that are sent to the opposing lawyer for their client to answer under oath.
A Request for Production is a written request for the opposing lawyer to provide documents and other tangible items for inspection and review.
Requests for Admissions are written statements that are sent to the opposing lawyer for their client to admit or deny certain facts. This is a great way to narrow the issues and avoid having to prove certain facts since they were admitted.
Depositions are when questions are asked orally to various witnesses who are testifying under oath. These statements are taken before a court reporter who types everything down. Therefore, at trial, if someone changes their testimony they can be impeached for any prior inconsistent statements. Furthermore, if certain people cannot attend trial sometimes their deposition testimony can be read to the jury without them being present. Many times these depositions are videotaped so that the Jury can see the witnesses testifying instead of just reading the transcript.
Lawsuits take about a year plus to make it to trial. The time depends on the case, the injuries, the number of defendants, and the complexities involved. The discovery period takes time to complete as both sides want to get as much information as possible before the trial.
Eventually, if your case does not settle there will be a trial.
We at Kreutzer Law Office make sure that you, the client, receive copies of all emails, letters, and court documents and we make sure you are fully informed at all times. Furthermore, you can contact us at any time and our cell phone number is always available for emergencies.
