What is one key responsibility of a lay witness during a deposition?

A lay witness is primarily responsible for sharing personal observations of facts as they relate to the case. This means that the lay witness can provide testimony about things they have directly witnessed or experienced, which helps establish a factual basis for the case. Unlike expert witnesses, lay witnesses do not analyze or interpret evidence; instead, they recount their firsthand experiences or observations, which can be critical in adding context and details to the testimony being presented.

In contrast, presenting expert opinions is not within the scope of a lay witness’s role, as that function is reserved for individuals with specialized knowledge or expertise. Similarly, analyzing legal statutes falls outside the qualifications of a lay witness, who is not expected to interpret law but rather to testify on what they have seen or heard. Conducting examinations is a task typically assigned to attorneys or legal professionals rather than lay witnesses, who focus solely on recounting factual observations.