A deposition is sworn testimony taken out of court. A lawyer asks you questions, and everything is recorded by a court reporter. It is a critical part of the discovery process in civil litigation.

Most criminal cases resolve before trial, but some do proceed to court if negotiations fail or if you choose to challenge the prosecution’s evidence. Your lawyer will help you understand the best strategy.

Depending on the case, you may recover compensatory damages (for actual loss), pain and suffering, and in some egregious cases, punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer.