Depositions and Power of Notary to Punish for Contempt in Ohio

The deposition plays an important role in the modern-day practice of law. The enormous backlog of cases in the courts requires preservation of precious testimony during the long wait prior to trial. In addition, the deposition is a valuable tool in evaluating a case, especially during settlement negotiations. Finally, the deposition is a prime means of discovering vital information.

The notary public presides at the deposition, and is invested with quasi-judicial powers, including the power to punish for contempt. This paper will briefly survey both the procedural aspects of the deposition and the quasi-judicial power of the notary public.