However, you do not have to talk to the lawyer before the trial if you do not wish to. In some lawsuits, one of the parties may require your testimony before trial. The taking and recording of such testimony before the actual trial is called a deposition, which is conducted under oath outside the courtroom, usually in one of the lawyer's offices. A deposition permits each party in the lawsuit to prepare his or her case thoroughly. In some cases, the evidence in the deposition encourages the parties to settle the lawsuit before the trial.
Rules of evidence control the courtroom proceedings.
These rules are designed to eliminate testimony and other evidence that is not considered relevant or trustworthy. From time to time, a lawyer in the case may object to a particular question that you are asked. If the judge overrules the objection, you may answer the question. If the judge sustains the objection, you may not answer. When an objection is made to a question, wait for the judge's ruling on the objection before answering the question.