Interrogatories to Defendant for Motor Vehicle Accident
Note: This summary is not intended to be an all inclusive
summary of discovery law in South Carolina, but does include basic and
other information.
Definitions
Discovery:
A procedure designed to allow disclosure
of information between Plaintiffs and Defendants. Written questions,
oral questioning, document production and admissions requests are generally
allowed. Discovery was designed to to prevent trial by ambush.
Interrogatories:
Written questions from Plaintiff to
Defendant, or from Defendant to Plaintiff. The questions are mailed
to the Plaintiff, Defendant or the attorney for response in writing.
The answers or responses are usually due between 20-30 days.
Deposition:
A procedure where verbal questions are
asked a Plaintiff or Defendant for immediate response. Depositions
are usually recorded by a court reporter, who swears the person to tell
the truth before questioning begins.
Production of Documents: The method of obtaining documents
from the other party relevant to the case such as all documents a party
intends to introduce at trial.
Requests for Admissions:
Written questions where you
request the other party to admit or deny some relevant fact.
Objections:
Objections may be made to all discovery
questions if the questions are not relevant, or likely to lead to the discovery
of relevant evidence.
Civil Procedure Rules:
Virtually all states have adopted
a version of civil procedure rules which include rules dealing with discovery.
South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure
South Carolina has adopted the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure
which contain rules governing discovery.
Discovery Methods:
Parties may obtain discovery by
one or more of the followings methods: depositions upon oral examinations
or written questions, written interrogatories, production of documents
or things or permission to enter upon land or other property, physical
and mental examinations, and requests for admission. Rule 26(a)
Scope:
Parties may gain discovery regarding any matter,
not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter in the pending
action. Rule 26(b)(1)
Experts:
A party may through interrogatories require
another party to identify each person whom the other party expects to call
as an expert witness at trial. Rule 26(b)(4)
Discovery Conference:
At any time after service of the summons, the court may direct the attorneys for the parties to appear
before it for a conference on the subject of discovery. Rule 26(f)
Depositions:
Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken:
Within the United States or within a territory subject to the dominion of the United States,
depositions shall be taken before an officer authorized to administer oaths
by the laws of the United States, or the state of Indiana, or the place
where the examination is held, or before a person appointed by the court
in which the action is pending. Rule 28(a)
If the deposition is taken in a foreign country, it is proper to
take the deposition on notice before a person authorized to administer
oaths in the place in which the examination is held, or before a person
commissioned by the court, or pursuant to a letter rogatory. Rule 28(b)
Stipulations:
Unless the court orders otherwise, the
parties may by written stipulation provide that depositions be taken at
any time, any place, and upon any notice. Rule 29
Interrogatories
Any party may serve upon another party written interrogatories to
be answered by the party served. Each interrogatory shall be answered fully
in writing and under oath. Rule 33(a)
Production
Any party may serve upon another party a request to produce certain
documents, not privileged, to be inspected and copied. Rule 34(a)
Physical and Mental Examination of Persons
When the mental or physical condition (including the blood group)
of a party, is in controversy, and in any case in which the amount in controversy
exceeds $100,000 actual damages, the court in which the action is pending
may order the party to submit to a physical or mental examination by a
physician or to produce for examination the person in his custody or control.
Rule 35(a)
Requests for Admissions
A party may serve upon any other party a written request for the
admission, of the truth of any matters within the scope of Rule 26.02 set
forth in the request, including the genuineness of any documents described
in the request. Rule 36(a)
Compel Discovery
A party, upon reasonable notice to the other parties may apply for
an order compelling discovery. If a party refuses to allow inspection or
fails to answer a question propounded or submitted under Rule 30 or 31,
the discovering party may move for an order compelling an answer. Rule
37
Domestic Actions Discovery Notes
If you require extra time to respond to discovery, you should ask
the other side for an extension in writing. It may also be necessary
to enter an order granting the extension to protect your rights.
Discovery questions are limited in number so select the most important
questions to ask the other side. Don't waste your requests writing
questions that you already know the answer to.
