M7L2 Mastery Assignment
By: Brody Fairchild
If this you're first civil case, have no fear, I can get you through this! Most likely the reason you're reading this someone's suing and you maybe don't even know why! If not, you're sueing someone and you don't really know how this works, it's OK! I'm here to tell you have this system ticks and how it works!
Suing
Let's start with if you're suing here's how it goes:
- You hire a lawyer and you help him file a complaint (a formal naming the complainant and accused as well as the description of the suit) to a court.
- The court sends a summon to the defendant to get them in court.
- The defendant can respond to the claim through his lawyer.
- The judge might have both parties come in for a meeting to prepare for the trial.
- Your lawyer can even offer a settlement outside of court!
- A jury OR a judge alone can hear the case.
- The plaintiff presents its case first then the defendant.
- Then the jury or judge gives the court the verdict. (If you lose you pay court cost!)
Being Sued
Alright... It's basically the SAME as suing except you're on the other end of it!
- Your opponent hires a lawyer and they file a complaint against you to a court.
- The court sends a summon to you to get you in court.
- You can respond to the claim through your lawyer.
- The judge might have both parties come in for a meeting to prepare for the trial.
- There lawyer can even offer a settlement outside of court!
- A jury OR a judge alone can hear the case.
- The plaintiff presents its case first then the defendant.
- Then the jury or judge gives the court the verdict. (If you win they pay court cost!)