So, You Want to Grill Someone in California, Inquisition Style? How Many Questions Can You Actually Ask?
Ah, the thrill of the California civil lawsuit! You've got your case, your lawyer's on fire (hopefully metaphorically), and you're ready to unleash a barrage of questions on the other side. But hold on there, Perry Mason, there are some rules to this courtroom rodeo, especially when it comes to those pesky special interrogatories.
The Interrogatory Inquisition: A Numbers Game
Let's get down to brass tacks. In California, the number of special interrogatories you can fire off depends on the size of your lawsuit. Buckle up, because we're about to delve into the thrilling world of...drumroll please...
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Unlimited Civil Cases (Over $35,000): Get your question on! You can unleash a mighty 35 special interrogatories. Now, that's enough to make anyone sweat under oath (or at least get a serious case of lawyer fatigue).
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Limited Civil Cases (Under $35,000): Here's where things get interesting. You only get a combined total of 35 questions for all your discovery requests, which includes special interrogatories, form interrogatories (those pre-written questions provided by the court), requests for admission (basically asking the other side to agree to certain facts), and requests for production of documents (because who doesn't love a good paper chase?). So, choose your questions wisely, grasshopper!
Bonus Round: Going Beyond the 35
Feeling like 35 just isn't enough to get all the juicy details? Don't despair, intrepid questioner! In unlimited civil cases, you can plead your case. With a fancy legal document called a declaration, you can explain why you absolutely, positively NEED more questions. Just be prepared to convince the judge that your inquisition isn't a fishing expedition, but a laser-focused mission for the truth.
But Wait, There's More!
Here are some other fun facts (well, maybe not fun, but definitely important) to keep in mind:
- Keep it relevant: Your questions gotta be connected to your case, otherwise the judge might throw them out faster than a lawyer objecting to hearsay.
- Be clear and concise: Don't write questions that could be interpreted by a mind reader (because let's face it, judges are busy people).
- Don't harass: The goal is to get information, not torture the other side.
So, there you have it! The lowdown on how many special interrogatories you can ask in California's civil lawsuits. Remember, with great questioning power comes great responsibility. Use it wisely, and remember, sometimes the most effective interrogation technique is a well-placed silence. Just ask Sherlock Holmes...well, maybe not, he probably wouldn't answer your questions anyway.
