Reid Law Firm
Attorney Joseph Reid
In trouble with a civil case? You came to the right place!
In this brochure I will help guide you through common terms in a civil case so you may be able to better know the process!
Key Terms
Plaintiff
This is the person or party that initiates the law suit.
Defendant
This is the person or party that is being brought to the court against their actions.
Trial
This is where you present all the facts to either a single judge or a jury of 6-12 in order to decide the verdict.
Beginning Process
After the plaintiff hires a lawyer, they must write a complaint to the court. A complaint is a formal letter describing the case while naming the plaintiff and defendant in the case. Now the defendant receives a summons, which notifies them of the case and tells them the date to appear in court. This is where the defendant will file an answer to the complaint.
Discovery Phase
Now both sides go out to gather information on behalf of their side. Then they come together for a pleading to answer questions together. After that they have a pre-trial conference. This is just a discussion between both sides and a judge to go over the differences and trial.
Mediation
This is the use of a third party to encourage the two sides to continue negotiating and offers suggestions on a solution.
Arbitration
This is the use of a neutral to decide the outcome of the case.
Preponderance of Evidence
This is the standard at which the evidence in a case must be at to be trusted to win a civil case.
Post Trial
After the verdict has been decided. If something seemed wrong, or you believe you were mistreated and it wasn't fair, then you may try to appeal the case. This will take it in front of a court of appeals federal judge and they will review the evidence once more time.