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Old 05-30-2014, 09:44 PM
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Bob Dillon Bob Dillon is offline
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Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Gilroy, California, USA-Garlic Capital of the world!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 71SportRagtop View Post
Long story short, about 2 years ago I witnessed an accident where a car struck a pedestrian. It happened right in front of me while I was driving my tractor trailer.

When the Police came, I gave a statement because it happened right in front of me and I thought it was the right thing to do. Shortly afterwards I was contacted by a lawyer who wanted to come to my work and take a statement. I asked my company HR director and he said absolutely not. He told me to tell the lawyer to refer to the statement I gave to the Police and if they needed any more info they should subpoena me.

Well last night after almost 2 years I was served. I got a subpoena to appear at a local courthouse for a deposition.

Has anyone else ever done this?? Even though I was only a witness and not involved in any way, do I need a lawyer?

Any info or feedback is appreciated.
If you're going to the courthouse, it's more likely a trial than a Dep. Depositions are usually held at the lawyer's office. The name of the case should be on the subpoena; if it's "State vs. Joe Blow" it's a criminal matter and if it's "Jane Doe vs. Joe Blow" it's a civil suit for damages.

Either way, the advice above is good. Show up, tell the truth, and if you don't know, say "I don't know" or "I didn't see that."

And either way, expect a few postponements. These things almost never go off on time, at least in California.

Oh, and...if it's a civil suit, ask for witness and mileage fees as you had to miss work, drive to the courthouse, etc.

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