How important are interrogatories?
Asked by: Trent Kshlerin | Last update: November 22, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (24 votes)
Interrogatories are often preferable to depositions for identi- fying such things as witnesses, documents, the dates and sub- stance of transactions and conversations,3 since a deponent may easily forget or overlook relevant information when an- swering such questions.
What happens if you ignore interrogatories?
If you still fail to answer the interrogatories, the judge can strike your pleadings or charge you with a fine.
Are interrogatories necessary?
Interrogatories are a crucial part of the discovery process in legal proceedings.
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.
What is an advantage to using interrogatories?
Interrogatories are generally less expensive than depositions because they don't require court reporter fees, transcript costs, or attorney time in traveling to and from the deposition.
What Are Interrogatories? – California Personal Injury Attorney Frank Nunes explains
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.
Does a defendant have to answer interrogatories?
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 ...
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 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 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.
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.”
In what circumstances might one opt to use interrogatories?
Attorneys may also use interrogatories to clarify disputed issues in the divorce. For instance, if one party claimed that their spouse committed adultery or other marital misconduct, an interrogatory might ask that party to describe all evidence they have to support that claim.
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.
Do interrogatories need to be relevant?
All interrogatories must be relevant to the issues in the case. If a request is not likely to lead to the discovery of relevant, admissible evidence, you may object.
What questions are asked in interrogatories?
Interrogatories are written questions sent by one party in a lawsuit to another party in that same suit, 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.
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 consequences can result from a refusal to cooperate with an order compelling discovery?
(b) Failure to Comply with a Court Order. (1) Sanctions Sought in the District Where the Deposition Is Taken. If the court where the discovery is taken orders a deponent to be sworn or to answer a question and the deponent fails to obey, the failure may be treated as contempt of court.
What if you don t know the answer to an interrogatory?
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. You must then answer to the extent the interrogatory is not objectionable.
Why do I have 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.
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.
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 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.
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 long does it take to respond to interrogatories?
(2) Time to Respond. The responding party must serve its answers and any objections within 30 days after being served with the interrogatories. A shorter or longer time may be stipulated to under Rule 29 or be ordered by the court.