What are oral questions asked of parties and witnesses under oath called?

Oral questions asked of parties and witnesses under oath are referred to as depositions. This legal process allows attorneys to gather information by questioning witnesses or involved parties regarding their accounts, which are recorded for later use in court proceedings. During a deposition, the witness must answer questions truthfully and under penalty of perjury, which adds weight to the information gathered.

Depositons serve as a tool for discovery, helping both sides understand the facts of the case, assess the strengths and weaknesses of their positions, and prepare thoroughly for trial. They are distinct from interrogatories, which are written questions submitted to a party, and affidavits, which are written statements confirmed by oath, but do not involve direct questioning. Testimonies refer to statements made in court or during a deposition, but they do not specifically denote the pre-trial questioning process itself. Therefore, referring to the process of oral questioning while under oath as depositions is accurate and aligns with legal terminology.