Criminology Term: Deposition
In criminology, a deposition is a legal procedure that occurs before a trial, in which a witness or a party provides sworn testimony outside of the court's jurisdiction.
A court reporter is present to create a transcript of the proceedings, and the primary goal of a deposition is to gather vital information about the case, such as the strengths and weaknesses of the witnesses' testimony, which can be used in court.
Depositions are usually conducted during the discovery phase, a pre-trial process where both parties exchange information and evidence related to the case.
The questioning in a deposition can encompass a wide range of topics, such as the witness's understanding of the events, their opinions, and beliefs, and any relevant physical evidence or documents.
The witness is bound by law to answer truthfully, and if they make false statements during the deposition, it can be used against them in court.
In addition, if a witness's testimony contradicts what they said during the deposition, the deposition can be used to impeach their credibility.
Depositions are a crucial component of criminology's legal system, and both the prosecution and defense can benefit from the information gathered during a deposition.
