Kilpatrick Townsend


Insights: Publications Civil Discourse \| Handling an Evasive Witness The Civil Practice Committee of The Santa Clara County Bar Association July 5, 2023 Written by It's human nature for witnesses to try to evade answering your questions that make them look bad or undercut their case. This happens all the time in the courtroom and in depositions when an adverse witness tries to reframe your question by saying something like this—“Well, if what you mean by your question is X, then the answer is Y,” thereby answering a question that you did not ask.

Insights: Publications

Civil Discourse | Handling an Evasive Witness

The Civil Practice Committee of The Santa Clara County Bar Association

July 5, 2023

Written by

It's human nature for witnesses to try to evade answering your questions that make them look bad or undercut their case. This happens all the time in the courtroom and in depositions when an adverse witness tries to reframe your question by saying something like this—“Well, if what you mean by your question is X, then the answer is Y,” thereby answering a question that you did not ask.