A civil discovery method requesting the opposing side answer written questions under oath and within a legally prescribed time limit
One of the discovery tools each party has is the right to propound a list of “written interrogatories” (questions) that ask for a written response (answers) to each of the interrogatories under legal verification, usually within thirty days.
Counsel for the party responding to the interrogatories will often object to the questions claiming they are legally deficient, such as being vague, overly broad, intended to harass the responding party, or violating the attorney-client privilege.
When the party receives opposing counsel’s responses, including the parties’ objections, if the sending party believes the responding party’s objections lack legal merit and are intended to evade answering the questions, the sending party can make a formal court motion to compel the other party to answer.
Discovery Abuse
Unfortunately, the discovery process is often abused and causes unnecessary frustration, work, and expense on both sides.
Suppose the court finds that the responding party’s objections lack merit and are being used to evade having to answer them. In that case, the court can order the non-complying party to answer the interrogatories and sanction them for abusing the discovery process.
Special Note: A party’s interrogatory responses may be used against the party as a party admission at trial.
