Puyallup, Washington Civil Procedures

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Litigation Lawyers in Puyallup

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

The rules of civil procedure in Puyallup, Washington are designed to make the process of civil litigation as efficient, cost-effective, simple, and fair as possible.

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

Major Puyallup, Washington Civil Procedure Issues

Complaint: When somebody believes that they have suffered a legal wrong in Puyallup, Washington, and decide to file a lawsuit, the first document that they file with the court is normally 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 usually 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: For the defendant, the answer is normally the first document they file in a lawsuit. As the name suggests, it "answers" the plaintiff's complaint. The answer usually 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: The civil procedure rules in Puyallup, Washington were written with the purpose of, among other things, avoiding surprises. For that reason, everyone immersed in a lawsuit goes into trial with a pretty good idea of what evidence the other side has. This is largely because of the discovery process, during which the attorneys for both sides are required to disclose (with some exemptions) all information relevant to the trial which they have in their possession. These disclosures come in multiple forms, such as simply sending boxes of documents, deposing witnesses, or submitting written questions to the other side, which the recipient is obligated to answer under oath.

Trial: It's quite rare for lawsuits in Puyallup, Washington to go to trial. Puyallup's civil procedure rules really discourage trials, and rather 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 Puyallup, Washington Lawyer Help?

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

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

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Puyallup

Puyallup is a popular suburb just 5 miles east of Tacoma. The population of Puyallup has been on the steady rise and has reached 40,000. The name of the town comes from a local Native American tribe and means "generous." One reason for the name could be the fertile soil. Each year the locally grown daffodils, which are shipped world wide, are featured in the town's annual spring parade as well as the Daffodil Parade. The Daffodil Parade takes place in Tacoma, Puyallup, Orting, and Sumner each year and feature floats, local marching bands, veteran groups, and other clubs. The Puyallup Fair is the biggest annual state fair in Washington and one of the 10 largest in the country. It attracts over 1 million people every year. For the two weeks in September each year, local businesses "do the Puyallup" and show off their best products to all of the visitors.

If you visit the Puyallup Fair at the Puyallup Fairgrounds you may notice the historical information on the grounds' interesting past. It was once used as a World War II internment camp for United States citizens or those of Japanese descent and was called "Camp Harmony." The Antique District is obviously known for its wide selection of antique shops that run along the Meridian Street. It's near the near the Arts Downtown Outdoor Gallery that rotates a selection of artwork appropriate for outdoor installation. Most regular shopping, like back to school, is done at the South Hill Mall that features a number of retail stores like JCPenny, Sears, Target, and Macy's. Puyallup is a booming city that is home to local lawyers. Puyallup lawyers know local courts and procedures so they can help you today.

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