North Bergen, New Jersey Civil Procedures

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Litigation Lawyers in North Bergen

In North Bergen, New Jersey, "civil procedure" is a broad term that refers to all of the laws that regulate the process of civil litigation. Procedural law (such as civil procedure) is distinguished from substantive law, which regulates the rights and obligations that the civil justice system is designed to protect.

Like all laws, the rules of civil procedure in North Bergen, New Jersey reflect specific values that society, through its elected representatives, wants to advocate. So, the rules of civil procedure have the stated goal of ensuring that the justice system is fair, cost effective, efficient, and accessible to everyone who has a legitimate legal grievance.

North Bergen, New Jersey's civil procedure rules can get pretty intricate, however. They regulate every aspect of a civil action, from the filing of the complaint, to discovery, and all the way through trial and appeals.

Major North Bergen, New Jersey Civil Procedure Issues

Complaint: When somebody believes that they have suffered a legal wrong in North Bergen, New Jersey, and decide to file a lawsuit, the first document that they file with the court is typically the complaint. The complaint is very important, because it can frame the factual and legal issues, and set the tone, for the rest of the process. The complaint normally contains every factual allegation against the defendant that forms the basis of the plaintiff's lawsuit. It also contains a prayer for relief, in which the plaintiff lays out his or her desired remedies, if the court finds the defendant liable.

Answer: Once the complaint is filed, the ball is in the defendant's court, so to speak. In the answer, the defendant has an opportunity to respond to all of the factual allegations made by the plaintiff, typically by denying them. The defendant might also raise affirmative defenses, which could prevent the defendant from being held liable. For example, if the defendant is accused of battery, and he did, in fact, batter the plaintiff, he might admit to that fact, but claim that the plaintiff was the aggressor, and he acted purely in self-defense. If he can establish that he acted in self-defense, he likely will not be held liable.

Discovery: Once the initial documents have been filed by both parties in the correct North Bergen, New Jersey court, the discovery process begins. "Discovery" refers to a wide range of disclosures that each side of the lawsuit must make to the other. Essentially, everyone involved in the lawsuit has to disclose every piece of information in their possession (with some exceptions) that's relevant to the factual issues in the case. There are a few different methods that are employed in this process: each side can send written questions to the other, which must be answered under oath. They can additionally request documents, as well as access to physical evidence. They can also conduct depositions (in-person Q&A sessions) of parties and witnesses.

Trial: it's truly very uncommon for lawsuits to go trial in North Bergen, New Jersey, because the rules of civil procedure in North Bergen, and nearly everywhere else, encourage speedy resolution of legal disputes, before they ever see the inside of a courtroom. This is largely accomplished by judges dismissing cases that clearly have no merit, or the parties settling out of court. However, when neither of these things is possible, both sides of the lawsuit will have to hash it out in a trial, which can be the most stressful and expensive step in the process. It involves both sides of the case presenting their evidence and arguments to a jury and judge, and letting them decide the issues.

How Can a North Bergen, New Jersey Lawyer Help?

If you're facing any substantial legal issue in North Bergen, New Jersey, you can be pretty much certain that you'll face at least a few procedural complications that can hold up the process.

Civil Procedure in North Bergen, New Jersey can be pretty intricate. It's always a good idea to have a lawyer who can advise you on how best to deal with these civil procedure issues.

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Life in North Bergen

North Bergen is a township located in Hudson County, New Jersey. North Bergen, New Jersey has a population of about 60,000 people, as of the 2000 Census.

North Bergen got its name in the 1800s, when the former Bergen Township was divided into several smaller sections, one of them being North Bergen.

North Bergen, New Jersey is known for its hilly terrain, and is said to be second only to San Francisco in American cities with the most hills. It also has an elaborate shape - resembling an inverted "L." These factors have lead to different sections of North Bergen evolving into distinctive neighborhoods, each with its own unique look and feel.

In order to spur development and commerce, the state of New Jersey has designated North Bergen as an "Urban Enterprise Zone." Many state laws and regulations operate differently (or not at all) in these zones, for the purpose of encouraging businesses to set up shop. For example, sales tax is only 3 1/2%, as opposed to 7% in the rest of the state, and many items, mostly necessities for life, or those related to starting a business, are tax-free.

If you live in North Bergen, New Jersey and are in need of legal advice, you're in luck. There are many North Bergen, New Jersey lawyers who are ready to help you with whatever legal problems you may be facing.

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