Which discovery procedure involves taking sworn testimony of a witness outside the courtroom?

• A. Interrogatories
• B. Affidavit
• C. Sanctions
• D. Deposition

Answer: (D)

A deposition is sworn testimony taken outside the courtroom. In this setting, a witness answers questions under oath, typically in a lawyer’s office or a deposition room, and a court reporter records everything for a transcript that can be used later in trial. Depositions let lawyers ask direct questions, assess credibility, and preserve testimony for later use, including impeachment if the witness later contradicts what was said. This is different from written discovery tools: interrogatories are questions answered in writing under oath without live questioning; an affidavit is a sworn, written statement from a witness; sanctions refer to penalties for discovery abuses rather than a method of obtaining testimony.