Olivia's Law Firm
Are you a new client? Then this brochure is for you!
We know all this lawyer talk can be confusing, so we'll break it down for you.
There are many parts to a trial. First off, you have the plaintiff, he or she makes a complaint against the defendant, Then the police issue a summons, which asks the defendant to attend court. The defendant will give a pleading, which is to ask the court to grant relief in the case. During the pretrial conference the judicial officer will discuss with both parties the number of witnesses and the evidence that will be presented. Some parties will seek mediation, or arbitration, to resolve the dispute. If the plaintiff is going to win this trial, he or she must have a preponderance of evidence, which is the standard of proof that must be met. Once the trial reaches its end, the jury reaches a verdict, where they make the decision if the defendant is guilty or innocent. The plaintiff can make a decision to appeal to a higher court system if they feel the decision was not justified.