The Civil Litigation Process: Step-by-Step

Civil litigation can be very complex. It is important to know how to go through the court system and what is necessary to have a successful suit in the civil courts. Having a Los Angeles civil litigation attorney by your side will help alleviate the stress during this process.

The attorneys at Okabe & Haushalter are here to help you throughout the civil litigation process. We can help you in a variety of areas:

• Victim representation
• Uber and Lyft attacks
• Limo and taxi attacks
• Uber, Lyft, and limo accidents
• Sexual assault victims
• Child pornography victims
• Physical abuse victims
• Civil molestation claims
• School negligence

Do not let the court process intimidate you from starting your claim today.

Civil Litigation Process in California Courts

The civil litigation process is complicated. There are state and federal rules of civil procedure, as well as local rules of procedure (specific to courthouses and judges). It is important to know the main steps involved with the civil process:

1. Filing the complaint—a complaint will first need to be drafted and filed with the court. This will explain what the Plaintiff is suing for and what relief they are seeking.
2. Serve the defendant with the complaint—the plaintiff will have 60 days after the complaint is filed to serve the defendant.
3. Answer the complaint—the defendant has 30 days from the date they are served to answer the complaint.
4. Discovery—the plaintiff must start the discovery process 10 days after the complaint is served. The point of discovery is to collect as much information as possible. Discovery is not done through the courts. There are three different types of discovery:
   1. Interrogatories
   2. Requests for Admission
   3. Requests for Production
5. Trial—if the case is not settled prior to the trial date, then the case will go to trial. A civil case can be heard in front of a jury or in front of a judge (bench trial). The plaintiff will always have the burden of proof.
6. Post Trial—after a judgment is issued, either party may file an appeal (usually the party with a judgment against them). A post-trial motion is required where a party will either motion to vacate or amend the judgment.

The civil litigation process can be quite lengthy, and discovery will usually be the longest part of any matter.

Civil Litigation Cases in California

According to the California Court Statistics report, in the latest reporting year, there were over 800,000 filings in the Superior Courts of California. Less than 1% of cases filed in the courts went to trial.

What we can do for you

With trends showing an increase in civil suits in California, specifically Los Angeles, it is important to have an experienced attorney by your side. If you or someone you know is involved in civil litigation or would like to bring a suit, our knowledgeable Los Angeles civil litigation attorneys are here to assist you.

High-profile cases deserve major league legal representation. The quality of your legal counsel can make a difference in the outcome of your case. Do not take chances when it comes to choosing the right attorney. To learn more about how our team of Los Angeles civil litigation attorneys can help, contact the legal team at Okabe & Haushalter and schedule a free consultation to discuss your case or call 310-543-7708 today.