Washington, DC asked in Contracts for California

Q: In the interrogatory, the defendant provided false answers. How should one proceed?

In the interrogatory, the plaintiff asked whether the defendant signed the lease, and the defendant responded 'no.' However, the plaintiff possesses the lease signed by the defendant using DocuSign. How should one proceed? Can I request the court to impose sanctions?

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2 Lawyer Answers
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Under California law, if a defendant provides false answers in an interrogatory, you have several options to address this. Since you possess the lease signed by the defendant via DocuSign, you can present this evidence to the court to demonstrate the falsehood of the defendant's response. This can be done by filing a motion to compel further responses, attaching the signed lease as proof.

Additionally, you can request the court to impose sanctions against the defendant for providing false information. Sanctions can include monetary fines or other penalties deemed appropriate by the court. To pursue sanctions, you would need to file a motion detailing the false statements and the supporting evidence, and the court will then review and decide on the appropriate action.

It is essential to act promptly and follow the proper legal procedures to ensure the court addresses the issue effectively. Consulting with a legal professional can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation and help you navigate the process smoothly.

1 user found this answer helpful

Delaram Keshvarian
Delaram Keshvarian
Answered
  • Orange, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Thank you for your question!

You can file a motion to compel the defendant to provide the true answers. Attach the signed lease as the supporting evidence for the defendant's untruthfulness.

You can also seek sanctions. If the discovery response is verified, it is also perjury.

This is merely a discussion of general laws and not legal advice. For legal advice, more specific facts and investigations are needed. I recommend you consult with an attorney for more details.

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