The world isn’t fair, no matter how you look at it. You have people who decide to drive despite being drunk. You have property owners who pay no heed to the dangerous situations on their property. Then there are dog owners who walk around with unleased, untrained dogs and act only after the dog has bitten someone.
A little bit of effort is all it takes to avoid the incidents mentioned above. But do people put in that effort? Sadly, no!
At times like this, you need a law firm, especially a reputable one, like Beck Law Firm. These law firms ensure that your rights are upheld and that the at-fault party is brought to justice.
But this is something we all know about. What exactly does a lawyer do? especially in civil cases.
Civil Cases
Before you dive into what a lawyer does in civil cases, you have to understand what a civil case is and what types of cases fall under it.
A civil case is anything non-criminal. This means that all incidents where a person or an entity failed to perform or improperly performed their legal responsibility are included. In civil cases, the affected person or entity is called the plaintiff, and the alleged at-fault person or entity is called the defendant. In civil cases, both the plaintiff and the defendant are often referred to as parties or litigants.
Following are some of the cases that are categorized under civil law:
- Real estate
- Labor and employment
- Personal injury
- Workers’ compensation
- Family law
- Juvenile law
- Probate cases
- Landlord/tenant cases
Role Of A Lawyer
A lawyer plays a crucial role in a civil case. Without their help, your chances of a successful case dwindle dramatically. Here are 5 ways a lawyer can be beneficial to your civil case.
- Expertise in law
- Compiling evidence and making the best use of it
- Filing motions
- Negotiate settlements
- Draft legal paperwork
- Representation in court
- Conduct or partake in depositions
Each role is explained below.
Expertise In Law
The US legal system is complex. No amount of internet research will prepare you for the numerous legal complications that may arise during a civil case.
A lawyer’s expertise in law is the main reason why you need to hire one. Lawyers, especially experienced ones, know all about the local statutes. This expertise will come in handy when they deal with your case.
Compiling Evidence
All cases, whether civil or criminal, rely on evidence. Your case is bound to fail if you don’t have sufficient evidence to back your claims or don’t know how to use the evidence you have.
A lawyer knows how and when to use the evidence in hand. They know how to make a mountain out of a molehill and will make sure the evidence you have is used to its maximum potential.
They also have access to private investigators (PI). These PIs will investigate the case to find additional evidence that you may have missed.
Filing Motions
A motion is a written request made to the judge. It is used as a tool to ask the judge to issue an order. The order can either be for a ruling or a direction.
You need a lawyer to file a motion, as they are pretty complicated. Some courts, like the Las Vegas Justice Court, require the motion to be in a specific language. This aside, there are also numerous formats and rules that one needs to follow to draft and file a motion. All this becomes a walk in the park with a lawyer’s assistance.
Negotiate Settlements
A majority of cases are settled out of court. You need a lawyer by your side when this happens. Without a lawyer, you’ll succumb to the shady tactics of the insurance company and may accept lower compensation.
An experienced lawyer will negotiate hard, making sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Draft Legal Paperwork
A civil case includes tons of paperwork. There are applications to be filled out, documents to be signed, reports to be verified, and lots more. Trying to handle all this without legal assistance is like trying to fight a lion barehanded.
Representation In Court
There are instances where cases have to be presented before a judge and jury. A lawyer is vital in such situations, representing you in court and making strong opening and closing statements. They’ll also guide you on the best course of action for a favorable result.
Conduct Or Partake In Depositions
A deposition is part of the litigation process. It is when a witness makes an out-of-court testimony during the discovery process of a civil case. Depositions can be written or oral.
A lawyer who handles civil cases can conduct depositions. Not just conducting them, they can also take part in depositions initiated by the defendant’s legal representatives, asking questions and analyzing witness statements.
Conclusion
Civil cases are complex. You need all the help you can get to make it to the other side with little or no harm. This is possible with the help of an experienced civil lawyer. If you find yourself in a tough spot, contact a local lawyer today!
