Depositions are simply a chance to show people things and ask them questions while they are under oath … and with an official court reporter making a written record.
The deponent (person being deposed) is exposed to criminal penalties for perjury.
Depositions are your opportunity to put your opponent and every necessary witness under oath before trial and get answers to questions that go beyond the tight restrictions of the rules of evidence that control at trial!
The facts you seek at a deposition need not be admissible at trial so long as they are “reasonably calculated to lead to discovery of admissible evidence”.
However it’s done, taking depositions is simply one of putting a witness under oath in the presence of a court reporter (who administers the oath and records all that’s asked and answered) and in the presence of your opponent (and his counsel, if he has a lawyer) who may also ask questions of the witness.
Knowing how and when to take depositions gives you a major advantage over your opponent.
Learn how to use Depositions at How to Win in Court