Unresponsive Answer

Detailed Examples and Case Studies

An unresponsive answer is an answer given by a witness during examination in a trial or deposition that evades or does not directly respond to the question posed. Such answers can complicate the legal process by failing to provide clear, relevant information. The following examples and case studies illustrate the implications and handling of unresponsive answers in various legal contexts:

Legal Examples:

• Example 1: Witness Evasion in Cross-Examination
  During a cross-examination in a criminal trial, the defense attorney asks the witness, "Did you see the defendant at the scene of the crime?" The witness responds, "I remember hearing loud noises and seeing many people." This answer is unresponsive because it does not address whether the witness saw the defendant.
• Example 2: Deposition Evasion
  In a deposition for a civil lawsuit, the plaintiff asks, "Did you approve the financial transaction on April 5th?" The witness responds, "Our company handles many transactions every day." This answer is unresponsive as it evades the specific question about the April 5th transaction.

Relevant Cases:

These cases further demonstrate the challenges and resolution methods involving unresponsive answers:

• Smith v. State: In this criminal case, the prosecution objected to a witness's repeated unresponsive answers during cross-examination. The court sustained the objections and instructed the witness to answer the questions directly, emphasizing the importance of relevant and focused responses to facilitate the fact-finding process.
• Johnson v. Acme Corp: During a deposition in a corporate litigation case, the deponent frequently gave unresponsive answers. The plaintiff's attorney filed a motion to compel, requesting the court to order the deponent to provide direct and responsive answers. The court granted the motion, underscoring the necessity for transparency and relevance in discovery.

Real-World Impact:

• Discovery Efficiency: Unresponsive answers can hinder the efficiency of the discovery process by obscuring relevant information. Courts and attorneys must address unresponsive answers promptly to ensure that the discovery process remains effective and focused on obtaining pertinent information.
• Legal Strategy: Attorneys must be prepared to address unresponsive answers both in depositions and at trial. This includes understanding when to object, how to ask follow-up questions, and when to seek judicial intervention to compel direct responses.
• Judicial Instructions: Trial judges often play a crucial role in managing unresponsive answers. Judges can instruct witnesses to provide clear, direct answers to the questions posed and can sustain objections to unresponsive answers, maintaining the integrity of the trial process.
• Objections and Motions: Attorneys can raise objections to unresponsive answers during trial or deposition. If persistent, they may file motions to compel more responsive answers, seeking court orders to ensure compliance and relevance in witness testimony.
• Witness Preparation: Proper preparation of witnesses is essential to avoid unresponsive answers. Lawyers should coach their witnesses to understand the importance of answering questions directly and thoroughly while staying relevant to the question asked.
• Record of Proceedings: Keeping a clear record of proceedings is vital when dealing with unresponsive answers. Attorneys should ensure all objections and judicial instructions are documented, providing a basis for any appeals or further legal actions if necessary.