Manitowoc, Wisconsin Civil Procedures

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Litigation Lawyers in Manitowoc

In Manitowoc, Wisconsin, civil procedure is precisely what it sounds like: it refers to the laws that control how civil litigation is done.

In Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the civil procedure rules are meant to ensure that the civil litigation system is as efficient, accessible, fair, and low-cost as possible.

Manitowoc, Wisconsin's civil procedure rules can get pretty confusing, 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 Manitowoc, Wisconsin Civil Procedure Issues

Complaint: The complaint is probably the most important document that the plaintiff will file in a Manitowoc, Wisconsin lawsuit, and it is typically 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. Consequently, 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 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 reasons 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 shown, it would negate, or mitigate, his liability to the plaintiff.

Discovery: The civil procedure rules in Manitowoc, Wisconsin were written with the purpose of, among other things, preventing surprises. For that reason, everyone engaged 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 procedure, during which the attorneys for both sides are obligated to disclose (with some exemptions) all information relevant to the trial which they have in their possession. These disclosures come in several 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 is truly quite rare for civil lawsuits in Manitowoc, Wisconsin to go to trial, since the rules of civil procedure in Manitowoc highly encourage early resolution to cases by dismissal of lawsuits that have no merit, and negotiated settlement of those that do. Nonetheless, when neither of those things happen, the case goes to trial. This is when a judge and jury determine the questions of law and fact, respectively, raised in the case. The jury then issues a verdict, based on the evidence presented to them.

How Can a Manitowoc, Wisconsin Lawyer Help?

If you're facing any substantial legal issue in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, you can be pretty much sure that you'll face at least a few procedural complications that can hold up the process.

Because the rules of civil procedure in Manitowoc, Wisconsin are intricate, it's smart to have the counsel of an efficient attorney through every step of the process.

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Manitowoc

Manitowoc is a city located in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. It is also the county seat of that county. As of the 2000 Census, Manitowoc has a population of approximately 35,000 people. The area now known was Manitowoc has been continuously populated by humans for thousands of years. It was first settled by people of European descent in 1835. Manitowoc has the interesting distinction of being the crash site of a Soviet spacecraft, Sputnik 4. The crash occurred in 1962, and involved a 20-pound piece of a much larger spacecraft. Nobody on the ground was injured, and the spacecraft itself had nobody in it. Today, there is a historical marker on the spot where the piece hit, and a cast of the part was made before it had to be returned to the USSR. The cast now sits in a museum in Manitowoc. Manitowoc is home to a zoo, as well as several historical sites, art museums, and parks, providing many recreational opportunities. If you live in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and need an attorney, it's likely that you'll be able to find one. Manitowoc, Wisconsin lawyers can handle just about any case you might have.

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