How are jurors instructed to handle depositions during trials?

Jurors are instructed to weigh depositions as evidence during trials due to their role in assessing all forms of information presented to them. Depositions, which are sworn out-of-court testimonies, provide valuable insights and can be integral to the case at hand. Jurors consider these depositions alongside live testimony, evaluating their relevance, credibility, and the weight they should assign to them in the context of the entire case. This practice acknowledges that depositions can contain factual information and witness accounts that may be significant to understanding the evidence and reaching a verdict.

This approach allows jurors to gather a more comprehensive view of the case, bringing in not only the immediate impressions from live testimonies but also insights from previously recorded statements. Therefore, recognizing and weighing depositions as evidence is a crucial part of their deliberative process.