AAERT Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) Practice Test

What is a deposition through written questions?

1. When the attorney has the witness answer via writing

2. They are interrogatories

3. When the reporter verbally asks questions on the record

4. When the reporter doesn’t need to swear in the witness

The correct answer is: When the reporter verbally asks questions on the record

A deposition through written questions is a process where a witness is provided with a set of written questions and is required to respond in writing. This method allows for the collection of a witness's testimony without the need for a live, oral examination, providing both parties with a record that can be referenced later. This method is particularly useful when a witness cannot attend a deposition in person or when time constraints make a verbal deposition less feasible. The written format ensures that the witness has the opportunity to consider their responses carefully and provide detailed answers. Therefore, the essence of a deposition via written questions lies in the fact that it circumvents the need for verbal interaction while still capturing the witness's testimony in a legally binding format. The other options present different methods and considerations unrelated to a written deposition format. For instance, interrogatories specifically refer to a set of written questions submitted as part of the discovery process, and while the idea of an attorney having questions answered through writing may appear similar, it does not accurately define a deposition through written questions. Moreover, the role of a reporter in verbally asking questions is not aligned with the concept of a written deposition, and the need to administer an oath is an essential aspect of the deposition process, reinforcing the validity of the witness's