Civil Suit
How your case will be handled
- After hiring your lawyer we will file your complaint in the proper court.
- The court then sends a summons
- Defendant may respond to the charges by having my own attorney "answer to the complaint"
- Pleadings- the complaint and the answer together
- The lawyers on both sides gather evidence to help their case
- Pre-trial discussions- Judge might have both parties in a meeting to help clarify differences and prepare for the trial
- OR: You and your lawyer may think that your case is really strong and your lawyer would then offer you a settlement
- TRIAL
- If the parties do not settle the case then goes to trial
- The Plaintiff will present its side first and then the defendant
- Both sides then summarize their cases
- After all this, judge or jury decides the case
- Verdict
- Either I have to pay or I win and plaintiff (you) get NADA and you have to pay court costs
- Appeal
*Complaint-formal statement naming the plaintiff and the defendant and describes the lawsuit.
*Summons- document telling the defendant of the suit against her and orders her to appear in court on a certain day and time.
*Defendant- and individual or group being sued or charged with a crime
*Pleadings-The complaint and the answer combined in a civil case
*Mediation-Situation in which the third party helps the plaintiff and the defendant reach an agreement
*Arbitration- Situation in which a third party listens to the plaintiff and the defendant, reviews that case and makes a final decision that is binding for both parties.
*Verdict- Decisions in a case made by a judge or jury
*Appeal-If the losing party believes something went wrong in the case they can ask for a review from a higher court.