Yakima, Washington Civil Procedures

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Litigation Lawyers in Yakima

In Yakima, Washington, civil procedure is exactly what it sounds like: it refers to the rules that govern how civil litigation is conducted.

The rules of civil procedure in Yakima, Washington are designed to make the process of civil litigation as efficient, affordable, simple, and fair as possible.

In Yakima, Washington, civil litigation is often extremely complicated. So, it shouldn't be a surprise that the rules of civil procedure can also be fairly complex. After all, they govern everything from the first document filed by the plaintiff, to the last ruling issued by an appeals court.

Major Yakima, Washington Civil Procedure Issues

Complaint: In Yakima, Washington the first step in suing somebody (after speaking with a lawyer to determine if you have a case) is usually filing a complaint. The complaint is also one of the most important documents in the civil litigation process. By laying out the wrongs that the plaintiff alleges the defendant has committed, as well as the remedies that the plaintiff wants the court to provide, it can set the tone for the entire rest of the case.

Answer: For the defendant, the answer is usually the first document they file in a lawsuit. As the name suggests, it "answers" the plaintiff's complaint. The answer typically denies most, or all, of the allegations made by the plaintiff. If the allegations are factually correct, and the defendant knows this, the defendant might admit that the allegations are true, but because of extenuating circumstances, they should not be held liable. For example, in a lawsuit for battery, a defendant might admit that they did strike the plaintiff, but claim that they were acting in self-defense, which would negate or weaken the plaintiff's case.

Discovery: After the complaint has been filed in the Yakima, Washington court of competent jurisdiction, the next major phase is the discovery process. In a civil lawsuit, there are not supposed to be any surprises (so the dramatic moments you see in TV trials are largely fiction). This predictability largely comes from the discovery process. Each side of the lawsuit has to disclose information relevant to the lawsuit to the other. This information can be obtained by sending the other side written questions, which must be answered under oath, demanding access to documents, and deposing witnesses.

Trial: It's quite rare for lawsuits in Yakima, Washington to go to trial. Yakima's civil procedure rules actually discourage trials, and instead have designed the system so that it's almost always more cost-effective to settle out of court. However, if this is not possible, the matter will go to trial, where a judge and/or jury will determine the factual questions, and then award the appropriate relief (if any) to the prevailing party.

How Can a Yakima, Washington Lawyer Help?

If you are facing a legal issue of any kind in Yakima, Washington, you are going to encounter civil procedure issues.

Because the rules of civil procedure in Yakima, Washington are complex, it's smart to have the counsel of an experienced attorney through every step of the process.

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Yakima

Yakima is located in Yakima County, Washington. Per the 2010 census, it is home to 91,067 people.

Popular sites include Mount Rainier National Park, West Valley and Terrace Heights, and the Yakama Indian Reservation.

Top employers include the Sports Center Tavern, The Hilton Garden Inn, the Speakeasy Bar, Grill Nightclub, Kana Winery, Donitelia Winery, Yakima Cellars Winery, and the Barrell House.

Yakima is also home to many small law offices. Very competent attorneys are able to tackle the legal needs of residents with the help of their wonderful support staff. Therefore, Yakima residents never have trouble tending to their legal needs.

Overall, Yakima is a small, quaint area that hosts a small-town charm and humility. It is a wonderful place to visit and call home!

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