Take the discovery process seriously

There are many steps to the criminal justice process that people might look over when they are thinking about their case. The discovery process is one of these; however, it is a very important part of the case since it is a chance to gather and share information.

One of the ways that the discovery process is handled is through depositions. The deposition is a question and answer session that is conducted under oath. This means that you must tell the truth during the questioning. A big difference between a deposition and a trial is that things are a bit more informal during the deposition and everything is a lot less structured.

Another way that the information sharing process can occur is through interrogatories. These are written requests for information. The questions are written out and they are answered in a written format. In a way, these are just like depositions but without the spoken word.

Some cases might involve requests to produce documents. They might also include a list of statements that you will be asked to either admit or deny. If this is part of the discovery process, you don’t explain anything. You simply admit that the statement is true or you deny the statement.

Just remember that everything about the discovery process is an opportunity for you to take a look into what the prosecution is working on. This can prove very valuable in your case, so make sure you think of the discovery process as a learning opportunity instead of as a hassle that you can’t be bothered with.

Source: FindLaw, “Does Discovery Take Place in Criminal Cases as in Civil Cases?,” accessed Aug. 31, 2017