Civil Case Steps
Caleb Foster
The Civil Case Process
Cause for the Case
- There is a dispute, damages, loss of property.
A Case if Filled
- Case filed in Superior Court Clerk's office
- Case number assigned by Clerk
Summons
- A service of summons and complaint upon defendants
Answer
- The defendants must respond to the filed compliant within 20 days of the date of service
- If the defendant doesn't respond, plaintiff may receive a default judgement
Discovery
- During the course of which various motions, for example motions to compel production of documents, or motions for more responsive answers, may be filed
Assignment to Trial Pool
- Plaintiff or Defendant files motion to assign case to the trial calendar
Motions
- Motion for judgment as a matter of law may be deemed appropriate to any point in the proceedings
Pretrial Conference
- A pretrial conference may be conducted on the day before the day of the trial
Trail
Entry of Judgment
- Case resolved either by agreement or by a court/jury ordered verdict
- Order entered by judge disposing of case
Appeal
- Either or both sides may appeal to a higher court
Enforcement of Judgment (if needed)
- Wage attachment
- Citation