law in a civil case, what if the plaintiff has an attorney and the defendant can't afford one

by Breanne Jenkins 9 min read

If you are the defendant or the defendant’s lawyer, you likely want to slow the case down so that you can gain leverage by making the case drag out. If you slow the case down, the other side may become desperate to settle for less than the case is actually worth.

In criminal cases, if you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint a lawyer for you, like a public defender. But in civil cases, you do not have the right to a court-appointed lawyer so, if you cannot afford your own lawyer, you have to represent yourself.

Full Answer

What is a plaintiff in a civil case?

The term ‘plaintiff’ is originally from Old English. It has the same Latin root as complaint, and was used to refer to those who were aggrieved or upset. This gives you the right idea of how the term is used in most civil cases.

Can a plaintiff bring the defendant to court?

The plaintiff can bring the defendant to court in order to try and get the money back. How Is A Lawsuit Filed? The burden of bringing a lawsuit forward is often on the plaintiff.

Does the defendant have to prove anything in a civil case?

Because the burden of proof is on the plaintiff in a civil case, a defendant does not actually have to prove anything to avoid a jury finding for the plaintiff. If the plaintiff cannot convince the jury that the facts and allegations are more likely to be true than not, the defendant should prevail even if he presents no defense at all.

What happens if the plaintiff does not win a civil case?

If the plaintiff does not succeed in convincing a jury the allegations are more likely to be true than false, the defendant should prevail. The burden of proof in civil litigation is lower for plaintiffs than the burden of proof is for prosecutors in a criminal case. A prosecutor has to prove a case against a defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.

What is it called when you can't afford a lawyer?

When a court decides someone is "indigent" - with few assets and no funds to pay an attorney - generally either a private lawyer will be appointed by the court and paid with county funds, or a public defender program will be appointed to represent the person.

What type of actions are brought on when a plaintiff sues a defendant?

A civil action is a noncriminal lawsuit that begins with a complaint and usually involves private parties. The plaintiff is the party filing the complaint, and the defendant is the party defending against the complaint's allegations.

What happens in civil law if the plaintiff proves his or her case?

In a civil case, a plaintiff files a complaint and states both facts and legal grounds for the civil litigation. The plaintiff has the burden of proof, which means the plaintiff must convince the jury that the facts are as presented and that there is grounds for the case.

Who are the two sides involved in a civil lawsuit?

Every civil lawsuit involves at least two parties—a plaintiff making a claim and a defendant resisting it.

Can you go to jail for a civil lawsuit?

Civil law also settles disputes between individuals and organisations. If you are convicted of a civil offence, you are not likely to be sent to prison, but most often will become liable for compensation.

What is the most important element of a case?

The Reasoning: The most important component of your case brief is the court's reasoning, or its rationale, for the holding. To determine what the court's reasoning was, ask: “How did the court arrive at the holding?

Who bears the burden of proof in a civil matter?

The plaintiff brings this claim. As the claimant, [he/she] must prove it [subject to any exceptions, such as an allegation of contributory negligence]. That is, the plaintiff carries what the law calls the burden of proof.

Who has the burden of proof in a civil claim?

PlaintiffsA party's duty to produce sufficient evidence to support an allegation or argument. Plaintiffs in civil cases typically have the burden of proving their allegations by a preponderance of the evidence. In criminal cases, the prosecution typically has the burden of proving its allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

What burden of proof is used in civil matters?

In civil cases, the plaintiff has the burden of proving his case by a preponderance of the evidence. A "preponderance of the evidence" and "beyond a reasonable doubt" are different standards, requiring different amounts of proof.

What happens when someone sues you and you have no money?

You can sue someone even if they have no money. The lawsuit does not rely on whether you can pay but on whether you owe a certain debt amount to that plaintiff. Even with no money, the court can decide that the creditor has won the lawsuit, and the opposite party still owes that sum of money.

What are the stages of civil case?

Stages of the Civil Suit as per the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 Presentation of the plaint. Service of summons on defendant. Appearance of parties. Ex-party Decree. Filing of written statement by the defendant. Production of documents by parties. Examination of parties. Framing of issues by the court.More items...

Why are there no surprise witnesses in a civil trial?

Why are there no surprise witnesses in a civil trial? rules of fairness require each side to have access to all the evidence. How is the burden of proof different in a civil trial that in a criminal trial?

What Is A Default Judgment?

In a civil lawsuit, a defendant who does not respond to the suit papers in a timely manner is considered “in default.” When the plaintiff makes the...

"Setting Aside" A Default Judgment

In most jurisdictions, the defendant will have a prescribed period within which to ask the court to set the default judgment aside, on good cause s...

Collecting on A Default Judgment

As an aid to plaintiffs who are confronted with the challenge of collecting the money owed to them, courts permit default judgment holders to disco...

What Is The Burden of Proof in A Civil Case?

In a civil case, a plaintiff files a complaint and states both facts and legal grounds for the civil litigation. The plaintiff has the burden of pr...

What Does A Defendant Have to Prove in Civil Litigation?

Because the burden of proof is on the plaintiff in a civil case, a defendant does not actually have to prove anything to avoid a jury finding for t...

Getting Help With Civil Litigation from An Irvine Lawyer

An Irvine civil litigation lawyer can help plaintiffs and defendants in lawsuits to determine what they must prove and how best to prepare evidence...

What is the root of the word "plaintiff"?

The term ‘plaintiff’ is originally from Old English. It has the same Latin root as complaint, and was used to refer to those who were aggrieved or upset. This gives you the right idea of how the term is used in most civil cases. One party, the aggrieved, will bring forward a complaint against another party. As you would assume, the person ...

What is the role of a judge in a court case?

A judge or jury is in charge of evaluating the evidence provided. Understanding Civil Cases.

Who is the burden of bringing a lawsuit forward?

The burden of bringing a lawsuit forward is often on the plaintiff. They will need to hire an attorney that specializes in the area that they have a claim in. For example, experienced wrongful death attorneys or a firm that specializes in car accident claims. It all depends on the incident in question. An attorney will help the plaintiff file ...

Who brings forward a complaint against another party?

One party, the aggrieved, will bring forward a complaint against another party. As you would assume, the person with the complaint will be known as the plaintiff in the civil case. Party, in this situation, can refer to either a person, business, or entity. In most cases, this complaint will have to do with the failure of one party to fulfill ...

Do summons require a written response?

For example, a summons might require a written response. In other instances, it may require a person to appear in court. In civil cases, it is up to the plaintiff to prove that the defendant is guilty of what they claim in their complaint.

Choosing A Jury

Opening Statements

  • Once a jury is selected, the first "dialogue" in a personal injury trial comes in the form of two opening statements -- one from the plaintiff's attorney, and the other from an attorney representing the defendant. No witnesses testify at this stage, and no physical evidence is ordinarily utilized. Because the plaintiff must demonstrate the defendan...
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Witness Testimony and Cross-Examination

  • At the heart of any civil trial is what is often called the "case-in-chief," the stage at which each side presents its key evidence and arguments to the jury. In its case-in-chief, the plaintiff methodically sets forth its evidence in an attempt to convince the jury that the defendant is legally responsible for the plaintiff's damages, or that judgment for the plaintiff is warranted under the circumstanc…
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Closing Arguments

  • Similar to the opening statement, the closing argument offers the plaintiff and the defendant in a civil dispute a chance to "sum up" the case, recapping the evidence in a light favorable to their respective positions. This is the final chance for the parties to address the jury prior to deliberations, so in closing arguments the plaintiff seeks to show why the evidence requires the …
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Jury Instruction

  • After both sides of the case have had a chance to present their evidence and make a closing argument, the next step toward a verdict is jury instruction -- a process in which the judge gives the jury the set of legal standards it will need to decide whether the defendant should be held accountable for the plaintiff's alleged harm. The judge decides what legal standards should appl…
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Jury Deliberation and Verdict

  • After receiving instruction from the judge, the jurors as a group consider the case through a process called "deliberation," attempting to agree on whether the defendant should be held liable based on the plaintiff's claims, and if so, the appropriate compensation for any damages. Deliberation is the first opportunity for the jury to discuss the case -- a methodical process that c…
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