Civil law is a body of regulations that are designed to maintain order and stability in a country. It is used to resolve disputes between parties and can be divided into two main categories: general civil cases and family law cases.
General Civil Cases
General civil cases involve suing someone for money in disputes over contracts, damage to property, or injuries. These types of cases are usually brought to court when one party believes they have been wronged in some way and are seeking compensation.Family Law CasesFamily law cases involve matters such as divorce, child support, child custody, and adoptions. These types of cases are often more complex than general civil cases as they involve the rights of individuals within a family unit.
Foreclosure Cases
In Washington County, Oklahoma, the most common type of civil case is foreclosure. This type of case occurs when a homeowner is unable to make their mortgage payments and the lender attempts to take possession of the property.Initiating a Civil LawsuitA civil action begins when one of the parties to a dispute files a complaint and pays a filing fee required by law. If the plaintiff is unable to pay the fee, they may file a request to proceed in forma pauperis. To avoid the expense and delays of holding a trial, judges encourage litigants to try to reach an agreement to resolve their dispute. Courts also encourage the use of mediation, arbitration, and other alternative forms of dispute resolution to achieve a resolution without the need for a trial or other judicial procedure.
Trial ProceduresIf no agreement is reached, the court will schedule a trial. Either party has the right, under the Constitution, to request a trial by jury. If both parties waive their right to a jury, then a judge without a jury will hear the case. In a jury trial, the judge will explain the law that is relevant to the case and the decisions that the jury must make.
Filing ComplaintsTo initiate a civil lawsuit in federal court, the plaintiff files a complaint with the court and delivers a copy of the lawsuit to the defendant. The court may also order other types of relief, such as a statement of the plaintiff's legal rights in a particular situation. Witnesses answer questions under oath in front of a judicial reporter who presents a word-for-word story called a transcript. In conclusion, civil law is an important body of regulations that helps maintain order and stability in society by resolving disputes between parties.
It can be divided into two main categories: general civil cases and family law cases. In Washington County, Oklahoma, foreclosure is the most common type of civil case filed. To initiate a civil lawsuit in federal court, the plaintiff files a complaint with the court and delivers a copy of the lawsuit to the defendant.