Are you required to answer interrogatories?
Asked by: Mayra Schultz | Last update: May 29, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (13 votes)
You must answer the questions or file objections to certain questions or the entire set of interrogatories. For example, you might not want to answer a question because it contains incorrect information like asking you to state who treated your broken leg, but you did not break your leg.
What happens if you refuse to answer interrogatories?
You have to respond to interrogatories in writing to the best of your ability. If you do not answer an interrogatory question, and then the other side learns that you did in fact know the answer, it could have a negative impact on your case at trial.
How to avoid answering interrogatories?
If you are unable to answer an interrogatory because it is too vague, ambiguous, or somehow objectionable, you can state an objection and the reason for your objection.
Are interrogatories mandatory?
Rule 33 (b), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure , requires the respondent to answer an interrogatory separately and fully in writing and under oath, unless the respondent objects, in which event the party objecting shall state with specificity the reasons for objection and shall answer to the extent the interrogatory is ...
Do you answer or respond to interrogatories?
Interrogatories are written questions sent by one party to another, which the responding party must answer under penalty of perjury. Interrogatories allow the parties to ask who, what, when, where and why questions, making them a good method for obtaining new information.
What Do I Have to Answer Interrogatory Questions?
Can you object to interrogatories?
Read and answer the questions
Read the question very carefully. Answer only the question that is asked, and avoid the temptation to over-explain your answer. If the question contains several parts, you may break your answer into parts as well. It is also possible that you might object to the question.
What is the point of interrogatories?
Usually, lawyers use interrogatories to obtain detailed information about persons, corporations, facts, witnesses, and identity and locations of records and documents. Court rules usually limit the number of questions included in an interrogatory.
What happens after interrogatories are answered?
What Happens Once You Receive an Interrogatory? All of the questions must be responded to in writing and it must be done under oath. Often, once you answer the questions, the other side will use the answers to gather more information.
Can interrogatories be used as evidence?
Interrogatories and depositions allow attorneys to gather information and question potential witnesses. They both result in documents that can be introduced as evidence and to impeach witnesses during trial.
Who may interrogatories be asked to?
Interrogatories are a discovery device used by a party, usually a Defendant, to enable the individual to learn the facts that are the basis for, or support, a pleading with which he or she has been served by the opposing party.
What happens if you lie on interrogatories?
The Dangers of Lying on Interrogatories
When the truth is discovered, the judge may impose a fine, assign additional litigation costs, or dismiss the case entirely if it was brought by the party who provided false information.
What are the disadvantages of interrogatories?
Interrogatories can be quicker, less costly, and less complicated than depositions, but there are downsides. Since the questions are written, the witness may have more time to think and craft answers, rather than providing more candid answers during discovery.
Who signs the answers to the interrogatories?
(2) The answers are to be signed by the person making them, and the objections signed by the attorney making them. (3) The party upon whom the interrogatories have been served shall serve a copy of the answers, and objections if any, within 30 days after the service of the interrogatories.
How do I deny interrogatories?
You need to be clear in your objections or risk waving them. Federal Rule 33(b)(4) emphasizes that the “grounds for objecting to an interrogatory must be stated with specificity. Any ground not stated in a timely objection is waived unless the court, for good cause, excuses the failure.”
What consequences can result from a refusal to cooperate with an order compelling discovery?
Failure of United States to Participate in Good Faith in Discovery. Rule 37 authorizes the court to direct that parties or attorneys who fail to participate in good faith in the discovery process pay the expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred by other parties as a result of that failure.
Are interrogatories hearsay?
Answering Each Interrogatory
They can be used at the summary judgment stage, in pretrial motions and hearings, and/or at trial. Answers to interrogatories are signed under oath, and are not considered hearsay, because they constitute a statement by the party opponent.
Can you refuse to answer an interrogatory?
Some people ignore interrogatories instead of answering them, but that could be a huge mistake. You must answer the questions or file objections to certain questions or the entire set of interrogatories.
What can you not ask in interrogatories?
Interrogatories are lists of questions sent to the other party that s/he must respond to in writing. You can use interrogatories to find out facts about a case but they cannot be used for questions that draw a legal conclusion.
What happens if you don't respond to interrogatories within 30 days?
If you don't respond within the time given, the opposing party may file a motion to compel your compliance with the court.
What happens if a party does not respond to interrogatories?
If the other person does not respond, or their response is still incomplete, you can ask the court to order them to respond. You have 45 days from the service of the most recent responses to ask the court to make an order requiring an answer.
What is the best way to answer interrogatories?
Read each question (interrogatory) very carefully. Answer only the question that is asked, and avoid the temptation to over-explain your answer. If the question contains several parts, you may break your answer into parts as well. It is also possible that you might object to the question.
Who answers interrogatories?
Interrogatories are written questions that either the defense or the plaintiff involved in litigation can send to the opposing attorney (assuming the case is being handled by an attorney). The opposing attorney must then prepare answers or objections to the interrogatories within thirty days.
What comes after interrogatories?
There are four main types of discovery requests: (1) depositions; (2) interrogatories; (3) requests for admissions; and (4) requests for the production of documents.
Are interrogatories binding?
Interrogatories are a formal set of written questions that one party in a lawsuit serves on the opposing party. The party receiving the interrogatories is required to respond in writing, typically within a specific time frame. The answers provided must be sworn under oath, making them legally binding.
What is the federal rule for interrogatories?
Unless otherwise stipulated or ordered by the court, a party may serve on any other party no more than 25 written interrogatories, including all discrete subparts. Leave to serve additional interrogatories may be granted to the extent consistent with Rule 26(b)(1) and (2).