Commack, New York Civil Procedures

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Litigation Lawyers in Commack

In Commack, New York, "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 Commack, New York 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.

Civil litigation in Commack, New York is almost never a simple process. So, the rules governing this process can't always be simple, either. Remember, civil procedure covers every single step of the civil litigation process, which can drag on for years.

Major Commack, New York Civil Procedure Issues

Complaint: Perhaps the most important part of filing a lawsuit in Commack, New York is the complaint. The complaint is a document filed with a Commack, New York court that lays out the plaintiff's (the person filing the suit) allegations against the defendant (the person being sued), as well as the relief that the plaintiff is seeking from the court.

Answer: The answer is typically the first document that the defendant files, and it is meant to serve as a direct response to the plaintiff's complaint. It typically denies all of the plaintiff's major allegations. It might also lay out affirmative defenses. An "affirmative defense" is a set of circumstances that negate the defendant's liability even if their conduct would ordinarily be unlawful. For example, in a lawsuit for battery, a defendant might admit that he struck the plaintiff, but claim that he acted in self-defense. If that can be proven, it would negate, or mitigate, his liability to the plaintiff.

Discovery: Once both sides have fired their opening volleys in the form of the complaint and answer, the next process in civil litigation in Commack, New York is discovery. Under the civil procedure rules of most jurisdictions in the U.S., each side of a lawsuit is required by law to disclose relevant information to the other side. These disclosures come in the form of depositions, the production of documents, and answers to written questions submitted by opposing counsel.

Trial: it's truly very uncommon for lawsuits to go trial in Commack, New York, because the rules of civil procedure in Commack, 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 Commack, New York Lawyer Help?

If you are dealing with a lawsuit in Commack, New York, it's almost certain that you will have to deal with issues concerning civil procedure.

The rules of civil procedure in Commack, New York are not always simple or intuitive. With that in mind, it's very important to have a knowledgeable attorney on your side, to help you through the process.

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Commack

Commack, New York gets its name from its former Indian inhabitants, the Secatogue tribe who named the area, "Pleasant Land." And pleasant is an apt word to describe Commack, which is a lovely city home to just under 40,000 residents. In the early days of Commack, indians gathered in the area because of the fertile soil, wildlife, and wood to make fires.

Commack, New York is a pleasure to explore for residents and visitors alike. In 2006, a local radio station rated the Commack Motor Inn as one of the seven wonders of Long Island. Rosie O'Donnell and Bob Costas are just a few of the celebrities that once called Commack home.

Commack, New York is also home to many talented lawyers who are able to assist the community with any legal issue they may find themselves encountering. Lawyers specializing in family law, estate planning, contract law, and employment law are just a few of the areas that Commack lawyers can assist their clients with. Commack is a great place to live and a great place to find a competent attorney.

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