Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Depositions and stenographers

i am pro per in a civil suit and have a fee waiver for court costs thus far. What should I do if I can't afford to hire a stenographer to depose defendant? ( defendant can afford a team of lawyers) Is there a way to request procedural direction from the judge that's heard my case so far? He denied defense motion to strike punitive. My status conference is at the end of May. My ability to depose the witnesses is integral to my case.

I am painfully aware that my best bet is to hire an attorney. That is not an option. Contingency is also not an option. Very bad experience which hurt my case.


Asked on 4/17/02, 7:03 am

4 Answers from Attorneys
Armen Tashjian Law Offices of Armen M. Tashjian

Re: Depositions and stenographers

The Code will allow you to video and audio tape the deposition, but you must provide adequate notice. If you do not follow the proper procedures, you will not succeed. At this point, despite the fact that the Judge might be willing to help you, that help can only be VERY LIMITED.

Call the State Bar of California and "Your" County Bar Association for potential referral to an attorney who might represent you free of charge.

If you'd like to have a further consultation, call me (323)782-0099. Good luck.

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Answered on 4/19/02, 4:03 am
Ken Koury Kenneth P. Koury, Esq.

Re: Depositions and stenographers

you will have to rely on written discovery to get your questions answered.

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Answered on 4/17/02, 11:10 am
D. Alexander Floum, Esq.

Re: Depositions and stenographers

You could call the Legal Services office in Long Beach (call information) and see if you can get a law firm to assist you on a pro bono basis.

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Answered on 4/18/02, 6:49 pm
Judith Deming Deming & Associates

Re: Depositions and stenographers

You can't have your cake and eat it too! If you do not want to bring an attorney on board on a contingency basis, then all you can do is 1) depose the party yourself; 2) settle the case; or 3) drop the case. You cannot expoect the court to do the work for you, and they are prohibited from advising a party in a pending action (and if they did, that would be a good basis for appeal by the other side). You say that having a contingency fee attorney "hurt your case," yet not having ANY attorney will hurt it far more!

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Answered on 4/17/02, 4:29 pm


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