Legal case

CanadianCriminalCases

Legal case

A legal case is a dispute between opposing parties resolved by a court, or by some equivalent legal process. A legal case may be either civil or criminal. In each legal case, there are typically two primary parties: the plaintiff (or claimant) and the defendant. The plaintiff is the party who brings the case to court, while the defendant is the party against whom the case is brought.

Types of Legal Cases

Legal cases can be broadly categorized into two types:

Civil Cases

Civil cases involve disputes between individuals or organizations, typically over rights, obligations, or liabilities. Common types of civil cases include:

• Contract disputes
• Torts (such as personal injury claims)
• Property disputes
• Family law matters (such as divorce or child custody)

Criminal Cases

Criminal cases involve actions that are considered harmful to society as a whole and are prosecuted by the state. Common types of criminal cases include:

• Theft
• Assault
• Murder
• Drug offenses

Stages of a Legal Case

A legal case typically progresses through several stages:

Pleading

The pleading stage involves the filing of initial documents, such as the complaint by the plaintiff and the answer by the defendant.

Discovery

During the discovery stage, both parties exchange information and gather evidence to build their respective cases. This may include depositions, interrogatories, and requests for production of documents.

Trial

The trial stage is where the case is presented before a judge or jury. Both parties present their evidence and arguments, and the judge or jury renders a verdict.

Appeal

If either party is dissatisfied with the outcome of the trial, they may file an appeal to a higher court. The appellate court reviews the case for legal errors and may affirm, reverse, or remand the case.

Participants in a Legal Case

Several key participants are involved in a legal case:

• Judge: The official who presides over the case and ensures that the law is followed.
• Jury: A group of citizens who evaluate the evidence and render a verdict in some cases.
• Attorney: A legal representative for one of the parties.
• Witness: An individual who provides testimony relevant to the case.

Related Pages

• Court
• Lawsuit
• Judicial system
• Legal procedure
• Litigation