Is a deposition a type of sworn statement?

A deposition is indeed a type of sworn statement that is given under oath during the discovery phase of a legal proceeding. In a deposition, a witness, which can include parties in a lawsuit or expert witnesses, provides testimony that is recorded for later use in court. This process is facilitated by attorneys, and the witness is required to answer questions truthfully, similar to how they would in a courtroom.

The nature of a deposition as a sworn statement is significant because it serves as a legal document that can be used to challenge the credibility of a witness should their statements differ later on. This underlines the importance of truthfulness in such statements. The recording and the oath taken by the witness are what cement the deposition's status as a sworn statement, allowing it to hold substantial weight in legal contexts.

Recognizing this definition helps in understanding why the other options do not hold true. The idea that depositions only count as sworn statements when notarized, or that the designation applies exclusively to expert witnesses, is inaccurate as depositions encompass a broader range of witness testimony that is sworn, regardless of notarization or the nature of the witness.