Step 1: Where to Sue
Step 1: Where to Sue?
You don't need three years of law school to know that there are many different courts with many different functions. But what's the right court for your case?
Step 1: Where to Sue?
Step 2: Filing Suit
Step 2: Filing Suit
What exactly is a "lawsuit"? Learn more about the legal paper that must be filed at the start of the civil litigation process.
Step 3: Serving the Lawsuit
Step 3: Serving Process
After filing suit, the plaintiff must serve "process" on the defendant. What papers must be served and how?
Step 4: Playing Defense
Step 4: Playing Defense
After being served, defendants have a limited time to respond to the Complaint. What must you file and when?
Step 5: Discovery
Step 5: Discovery
As its name suggests, discovery is the investigative phase of litigation. How can we use it to avoid unpleasant surprises at trial?
Step 6: Pretrial Motions
Step 6: Pretrial Motions
Just because a lawsuit has been filed, that does not mean that the case will ultimately go to trial. Much can happen en route to the courthouse.
Step 7: The Trial
Step 7: The Trial
It's showtime! How are cases tried in Maryland courtrooms? What does it take to win?
Step 8: Post-Trial Motions
Step 8: Post-Trial Motions
If you lose at trial, that doesn't always mean that your case is over. There may be things you can do to grab a victory from the jaws of defeat.
Step 9: Collecting Judgments
Step 9: Collecting Judgments
Congratulations plaintiff! You met your burden of proof and won at trial. Now what can you with that judgment?
Step 10: Appeals
Step 10: Appeals
If your case didn't appeal to the judge or jury, can you appeal to a higher authority?