If you find yourself embroiled in a lawsuit, either as a litigant or a witness, you may not be familiar with the process of gathering information prior to the actual court proceedings. It may surprise you to learn that you have to tell your story to the lawyers prior to ever going to court. In Florida, whether or not a case even goes to trial may be determined during the depositions Miami attorneys conduct.

If you have never been deposed, your attorney will meet with you in advance of the deposition date to explain how the process works and what you can expect. The two of you may go over possible questions, but the lawyer should never coach you or tell you what to say. Preparation is essential if you are going to be a viable witness in the courtroom.

The most important thing you can do is tell the truth. The lawyers for the other side will be verifying your testimony for accuracy and truthfulness. Even if one of the attorneys brings up something that is embarrassing or less than flattering, you should never deny or try to evade a truthful answer to their questions. Your best option is complete honesty.

You should choose your words carefully when you are asked a question. Accuracy is extremely important when you are recounting events involved in a lawsuit. You don't have to be afraid to ask a lawyer to repeat a question or phrase it another way. If you don't know the answer to a question, you should say so instead to trying to make up what you think is a plausible answer.

Giving absolute answers and information to attorneys, when you are being deposed, is seldom a good idea. If you have one fact wrong, the other side may pounce on that in front of a judge and jury. It is better to state exactly what you know and, even if that includes an approximate time frame instead of a fixed day and hour, stick to it.

It is common for lawyers to introduce documents during a deposition. If you are asked whether or not you have ever seen a document, or whether it is an accurate representation of something you have signed, you should always read it before you give an answer. Even though it may look familiar, mistakes happen and inaccurate records get into court cases.

You need to be polite and cooperative during this process. It is important that you leave both sides with a good impression of your ability to recall events accurately and truthfully. Getting angry or defensive can be hurtful to your testimony. Becoming emotional may be inevitable, but you should maintain your composure as much as possible.

Unlike television dramas, there are few surprises in real life court cases. Lawyers already know what witnesses are going to say. It helps when those being deposed under oath respond with truthful answers. A complete set of facts makes the legal process go forward more smoothly.