Civil Litigation in California

The process of suing someone in court is known as civil litigation.  Civil lawsuits can involve a wide array of legal issues including contract, employment, intellectual property and real property laws.  Civil litigation is complicated because the parties must understand the substantive law that applies to their situation as well as the procedural rules that govern how each side presents its case to the court.  Ideally, both sides should be represented by an attorney who will strongly advocate for their respective positions and help ensure that their rights are protected.

What are the stages in a civil litigation?

The litigation process is not limited to what happens in the courtroom.  It encompasses activities before, during and after a lawsuit.  At each of these stages, there are prescribed steps and procedures that must be followed.  Failure to comply with these rules can put a non-complying party at a serious disadvantage, up to and including the complete dismissal of a claim or defense.

• Pre-suit investigation. Before filing a complaint in court, the plaintiff (i.e., the party claiming to be injured) should consult an attorney to discuss the merits of the case and gather relevant evidence.
• Choice of court. The suit must be filed in the right court which depends on the type of lawsuit, where the parties are located or the wrongful conduct occurred, the amount of the claim, and whether the parties previously agreed to litigate in a particular venue.
• Filing a complaint and summons. The plaintiff commences a lawsuit by filing a complaint and summons with the appropriate court. These documents give the defendant (the party being sued) notice of the lawsuit, the basis of the claim, and the deadline for responding.
• Answer. The defendant responds to the complaint by filing an answer or motion with the court.
• Discovery. This is the process of exchanging information with the other side. Each party will make various requests for evidence or to depose witnesses in order to prepare for litigation.
• Motions. The parties file motions with the court to request the judge to take action. For example, the judge may be asked to make a ruling on a legal issue or order the other side to provide information.
• Trial. When the previous steps have been completed, the case will go to trial with each side presenting its case to a judge or jury.
• Appeal. If a party believes there are legal grounds to challenge a decision of the judge or jury, it may file an appeal.

Our attorneys have extensive experience litigating in state and federal trial and appellate courts and are well-versed in how to handle every aspect of a case inside and outside the courtroom.  While advocating for our clients during litigation, we also simultaneously explore client-approved settlement discussions to help achieve a satisfactory resolution of the case.

​

What is the Difference Between Criminal and Civil Litigation?

While both involve going to court, there are many key differences between criminal and civil litigation. Civil litigation is a legal process aimed at rectifying disputes between two private parties, whether they be individuals, businesses, or government entities. On the other hand, criminal lawsuits are brought on behalf of the government against individuals believed to have committed a crime.

In civil litigation, the damages sought are generally monetary and are aimed at righting the wrongs that the defendant caused or making the plaintiff “whole.”. Criminal litigation may result in a guilty verdict where a defendant could serve time in prison or jail, or even be subject to the death penalty in very limited cases.  Because of the potential loss of a criminal defendant’s liberty, courts apply a higher standard to prove guilt in criminal cases as opposed to civil litigation.

Civil law plaintiffs must present more convincing evidence (a “preponderance of the evidence”) than the other party does in order to prevail. In criminal cases, the government must prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the defendant is guilty, eliminating all other reasonable explanations that can be drawn from the evidence at trial.

The last key difference between civil and criminal litigation is the appeal process. In civil cases, either party can appeal the judge’s ruling. The winning party may appeal the ruling if they feel they did not receive adequate damages, while the losing party may appeal on a claim that the law was misinterpreted, or the court made an error. Criminal courts only allow for the defendant to appeal. Therefore, the government must abide by the court’s ruling and, for example, cannot ask an appellate court to impose a more serious penalty than the trial court did.

Are there alternatives to litigation?

Going to court is not the only way to settle a conflict. 

Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution that is used in many business disputes.  Typically, the parties voluntarily agree to arbitration in a contract before a conflict arises.  In arbitration, a neutral third party (the arbitrator) hears the evidence and renders a decision or an “award.”  The process is private and gives the parties more control over the proceedings than they would have in litigation.  However, the right to appeal an award to a court of law may be more limited.

Mediation is another method of alternative dispute resolution whereby the parties seek to settle their matter with the help of a neutral third party agreed upon by the parties (the mediator).  The mediator does not impose a decision on the parties; instead, the mediator facilitates discussion to help the parties reach an agreement.  Like arbitration, it is a voluntary and private process.  However, mediation can occur simultaneously with either arbitration and litigation.

While arbitration and mediation are out-of-court proceedings, it is still important to have a skilled attorney to present the best case and provide guidance in any settlement discussions.

What is the Statute of Limitations For Civil Litigation Cases?

Statutes of limitations are time limits in which you must file a complaint in a civil action.  They prevent people from threatening lawsuits indefinitely and keep the litigation process streamlined. The statute of limitations in each case varies depending on the state in which the lawsuit is filed, as well as the kind of claim involved in the case.

Establishing a statute of limitations also ensures that relevant evidence is preserved. Otherwise, important witnesses may not recall events that transpired during the time at issue if the case is filed too long after. Similarly, documents that could be crucial to a case may not be accessible after a certain time if the case is not brought in a timely manner.

If a plaintiff misses the statute of limitations, the defendant can then use it as a defense to dismiss the case. An exception to this defense, in limited cases, is the discovery rule. Under this rule, the statute of limitations may not start running immediately if the plaintiff can prove that they did not discover the injury until a later time. This allows the plaintiff more time to bring a lawsuit as the clock starts at the time of discovery and not at the time of injury.

How should you prepare for civil litigation?

The first step for both plaintiffs and defendants is to speak to an attorney.  A lawyer can assess the strength of your case or defense and recommend next steps.  The earlier this is done the better since there are various time limits, such as a statute of limitations or a procedural deadline to respond to a complaint.  In addition, it is important to gather evidence while the facts are fresh, witnesses can remember what occurred, and records can be preserved.  A lawyer can also advise you regarding how to avoid inadvertently damaging your case through your subsequent actions.

While litigation is ongoing, you should regularly communicate with your attorney to stay up to date on how the case is progressing and options for settlement.  It is important to always provide all information to your attorney to avoid surprises and build a strong case.

Conclusion

Whether you wish to initiate a lawsuit, or one has been commenced against you, our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the litigation process.  Our litigators take extensive care during the initial analysis period to pinpoint a case’s strengths and weaknesses.  Our goal is to provide you with a clear assessment of your claims or possible liabilities.

At Romano Law, we pride ourselves on prompt communication and expert handling of time-sensitive and confidential communication.  Our objective is to provide practical solutions to complex problems and establish an attorney-client relationship that will be long-lasting.

Romano Law can provide guidance on civil litigation in New York, California and Florida.

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash