General Litigation

What is involved when your case goes to trial in Pa.?

First your lawyer files a lawsuit which is considered a complaint, on your behalf in the appropriate court in the county where the defendant or the person or entity that you’re filing a lawsuit against, resides.
The defendant is served a civil summons from the court noting the date and time the lawsuit is to be heard, and, in most cases, a given time to respond to the summons.
There is a discovery period where your lawyer will do research by requesting documents, conducting depositions and interrogatories.  A deposition is one of the methods that lawyers can use to find out information to help prepare a case for trial. Interrogatories are used to obtain relevant information as part of the discovery process that a party has regarding a case, but they cannot be used to elicit privileged communications.

Not all cases go to trial but some do. Some cases are heard by a judge only and some cases are heard by a jury. First there is the jury selection of an impartial panel. Your lawyer will present evidence. The defendant’s lawyer will try to poke holes in it. One of the most important steps by any lawyer is presenting evidence. Your lawyer should shine and not be so full of him or herself as to distance the jury. Your lawyer will call witnesses and experts who should be prepared and not contradictory. The manner and method that your lawyer chooses to present evidence to a judge or jury can greatly affect the outcome of your case. One of the best ways to create a strong impression and build support is for your lawyer to combine photographs, sounds, and graphics in a multimedia presentation. Visual evidence is frequently more effectively retained by jurors than any other presentation.

The case is presented. All the evidence is heard. Either the judge or the jury reviews all the evidence and renders a verdict.

This is not Law & Order. The average case takes months to reach court after it’s been filed.
Sometimes there may be an appeal process.

One of your most important decisions is hiring a Pa. law firm capable and experienced in general litigation, Pennsylvania lawyers with a charismatic presence in the court room, and a history of going to trial and obtaining settlements in the type of case that you have.