Which statement correctly defines a deposition?

Which statement correctly defines a deposition?

• A. A written summary of the trial
• B. A sworn testimony given and recorded outside the courtroom during the pretrial phase
• C. A statement made in court during the trial
• D. An informal interview conducted without an oath

Answer: (B)

A deposition is a sworn out-of-court examination that occurs before trial and is recorded. In this setting, a witness answers questions under oath, and a court reporter (often with video) captures the testimony. This pretrial, sworn recording helps both sides learn what the witness will say and can be used later in court to impeach the witness or as evidence under the rules of discovery. The option describing a sworn testimony given and recorded outside the courtroom during the pretrial phase is the correct one because it captures both the location (outside the courtroom), the form (under oath), and the timing (pretrial) that define a deposition. The other descriptions describe a trial transcript or testimony presented in court, or an informal interview without an oath, none of which align with how depositions are conducted.

A deposition is a sworn out-of-court examination that occurs before trial and is recorded. In this setting, a witness answers questions under oath, and a court reporter (often with video) captures the testimony. This pretrial, sworn recording helps both sides learn what the witness will say and can be used later in court to impeach the witness or as evidence under the rules of discovery. The option describing a sworn testimony given and recorded outside the courtroom during the pretrial phase is the correct one because it captures both the location (outside the courtroom), the form (under oath), and the timing (pretrial) that define a deposition. The other descriptions describe a trial transcript or testimony presented in court, or an informal interview without an oath, none of which align with how depositions are conducted.