Rome, New York Civil Procedures

Find the right Litigation attorney in Rome, NY

  • /10
  • Client Overall
    Satisfaction Rate*
*TrustPilot score as of 010118

Litigation Lawyers in Rome

In Rome, New York, "civil procedure" is a broad term that refers to all of the statutes that control the process of civil litigation. Procedural law (such as civil procedure) is distinguished from substantive law, which covers the rights and obligations that the civil justice system is designed to protect.

Rome, New York's government strives to make the civil justice system fair, efficient, and accessible. The rules of civil procedure are designed to encourage those goals, to the greatest extent possible.

Rome, New York's civil procedure rules can get pretty convoluted, however. They control every aspect of a civil action, from the filing of the complaint, to discovery, and all the way through trial and appeals.

Major Rome, New York Civil Procedure Issues

Complaint: The complaint is probably the most important document that the plaintiff will file in a Rome, New York lawsuit, and it is normally the first. The complaint contains all of the plaintiff's allegations against the defendant, as well as the relief that the plaintiff is asking the court to provide. Thus, it can frame the tone, as well as the legal and factual issues, that will dominate the rest of the case.

Answer: The answer is normally the first document that the defendant files, and it is meant to serve as a direct response to the plaintiff's complaint. It normally 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 the initial documents have been filed by both parties in the correct Rome, New York 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 further 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 really very uncommon for lawsuits to go trial in Rome, New York, because the rules of civil procedure in Rome, 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 Rome, New York Lawyer Help?

If you are facing a legal issue of any kind in Rome, New York, you are going to face civil procedure issues.

Because the rules of civil procedure in Rome, New York are complicated, it's smart to have the counsel of an accomplished attorney through every step of the process.

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Rome

Rome, New York is a city in Oneida County. As of the 2000 Census, Rome's population was about 35,000 people.

Starting with the Revolutionary War, and continuing for many years thereafter, the city of Rome was referred to as "Fort Stanwix" - because that military installation was the only building in the area at the time. The town changed its name to "Rome" sometime in the 1800s, though the exact time of this name change, and the reasons for it, are unknown. It is presumed to be named after the modern Italian city of Rome, or perhaps the ancient empire of the same name.

Construction of the Erie Canal, which eventually connected the Atlantic Ocean with the Great lakes,began in Rome, and led to its industrial ascension, thanks to the Canal's role in the industrialization of America. Today, Rome is home to one of the last examples of an unique natural habitat: sand plains. The Rome Sand Plains are a mosaic of sand dunes, peat bogs, and hardwood forest, creating a huge amount of biodiversity. The sand plains are a major draw for tourists, especially nature enthusiasts.

If you live in Rome, New York, and find yourself facing a legal problem, a Rome, New York attorney can help. Rome, New York lawyers are ready to handle just about any legal issue you might be facing.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Howard B.
Howard B.

Business - Litigation

Rye Brook, NY

Mark B.
Mark B.

Business - Litigation

Roseland, NJ

David A.
David A.

Business - Litigation

Walnut Creek, CA