What is the legal value of an unsworn deposition?

Full question:

What legal standing or value in court does a 'Unsworn' Deposition or 'Unsworn' examination of an individual have?

  • Category: Discovery
  • Subcategory: Depositions
  • Date:
  • State: National

Answer:

An unsworn deposition or examination has value determined by the trier of fact, such as a judge or jury. Generally, sworn statements are considered more credible because they are made under oath, which carries penalties for falsehoods. In contrast, unsworn statements do not have the same legal consequences for lying. This difference may lead the trier of fact to trust sworn testimony more than unsworn testimony.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Sworn statements are made under oath, meaning the person agrees to tell the truth and can face legal penalties for lying. Unsworn statements, on the other hand, are not made under oath and do not carry the same legal consequences for falsehoods. As a result, courts generally find sworn statements more credible than unsworn ones.