What are interrogatories in the context of legal procedures?

Interrogatories are a specific type of discovery tool within legal procedures that involve formal questions submitted by one party to another in a lawsuit. They are designed to gather pertinent information relevant to the case and require the recipient to provide written answers, usually under oath. This process helps establish facts, narrow the issues for trial, and promote a fair legal process by allowing both sides to know what evidence and information the other possesses.

The correct understanding of interrogatories is crucial, as they serve as a means for parties to obtain clarity and detail regarding the claims, defenses, and evidence each party intends to rely on during legal proceedings. Other options do not accurately represent what interrogatories are; for instance, documents filed in court refer to pleadings or motions, depositions involve oral questioning in the presence of a court reporter, and statements made by witnesses pertain to oral testimony rather than written queries. Each of these serves a distinct role in the legal process but does not encapsulate the function or purpose of interrogatories.