The Interrogatory Inquisition: How Many Questions Can They REALLY Throw at You in California?
Ah, California. Land of sunshine, beaches, and...endless legal questions? If you've found yourself embroiled in a civil lawsuit (insert dramatic music here), you might be staring down a barrage of written inquiries known as interrogatories. But fear not, intrepid litigant! Today, we're here to unveil the mystery: just how many of these question beasts can they unleash upon you?
The 35 Interrogatory Smackdown: Not as Bad as Facing a Dragon...Probably
There's a number that keeps popping up like a legal version of the number 42: 35. That's the magic number for specially crafted interrogatories, the ones your friendly (or not-so-friendly) neighbor lawyer cooks up just for you. Think of them as custom-made question arrows aimed straight at your legal weak spots.
But wait, there's more! California throws you a lifeline in the form of form interrogatories. These are pre-written bundles of questions on various topics, like a legal buffet. You can ask as many of these as your heart desires, well, within reason (don't go crazy, people).
Here's the clincher: These two categories work together. You can't be bombarded with 35 specials and a bottomless pit of form interrogatories. It's one or the other, folks.
So, You're Safe? Not Quite, Maverick
While the 35-question limit might sound comforting, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Those form interrogatories can be sneaky. Some have sub-parts, which means one question can morph into a hydra-headed monster of follow-ups.
- There's always a chance the judge might say "35 ain't enough!" In special circumstances, they can grant permission for more questions. But hey, at least you get to argue your case in front of a cool robed figure, right?
The moral of the story? Interrogatories can be a pain, but they're not an interrogation chamber (unless your lawyer's particularly intense). If you're facing a lawsuit, knowledge is power. Talk to your lawyer, understand the process, and remember, a little humor can go a long way in these situations (unless the judge frowns upon Monty Python references in your responses).
