What is an official court proceeding where sworn testimony is collected prior to trial?

A deposition is an official court proceeding where sworn testimony is collected prior to trial. This process occurs during the discovery phase of litigation, allowing attorneys from both sides to gather information and understand the details of the case before it goes to trial. During a deposition, witnesses are questioned under oath, and their responses are recorded for later use in court.

This procedure is essential for building a case, as it helps identify key facts, assess the credibility of witnesses, and enable lawyers to prepare for the arguments they will present in the trial. It also allows both parties to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their case based on the information gathered during the deposition.

In contrast, a hearing is typically a shorter process focused on specific legal issues, a trial is the formal examination of the case before a judge or jury, and an arraignment is a court proceeding where a defendant is formally charged and enters a plea. Each of these processes serves a distinct purpose within the judicial system, but a deposition specifically pertains to the collection of testimony prior to the actual trial.