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Evasive Answer: What It Means and Its Legal Implications
Definition & Meaning
An evasive answer is a response to a direct question that avoids providing a clear or straightforward answer. This type of answer is often used to conceal the truth or avoid admitting to specific allegations. In a legal context, a defendant may give an evasive answer when they do not fully admit or deny the claims made against them in a complaint. It is assumed that the person providing the evasive answer understands the question being asked. In legal discovery processes, providing an evasive answer can be considered a failure to respond adequately.
Table of content
Legal Use & context
Evasive answers are commonly encountered in various legal practices, including civil, criminal, and family law. They can arise during depositions, interrogatories, and other discovery processes where parties are required to provide truthful answers to questions. If a party provides an evasive answer, the opposing party may file a motion to compel a more complete response. Users can manage some aspects of this process using legal templates from US Legal Forms, which are drafted by qualified attorneys.
Key legal elements
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
(Hypothetical example) During a deposition, a lawyer asks a defendant if they were present at a specific location during an incident. Instead of answering directly, the defendant responds, "I don't recall the exact details." This response is evasive as it does not confirm or deny their presence.
Comparison with related terms
Term
Definition
Evasive Answer
A response that avoids directly answering a question.
Non-responsive Answer
An answer that does not address the question asked at all.
Admission
A statement acknowledging the truth of an allegation.
Common misunderstandings
What to do if this term applies to you
If you encounter an evasive answer in a legal setting, consider the following steps:
Document the evasive response and the context in which it was given.
Consult with a legal professional to discuss your options for addressing the issue.
Explore US Legal Forms for templates that can help you file a motion to compel a more complete answer if necessary.
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