Civil Litigation Chapter 1

civil litigation

the process of resolving private disputes through the court system

trial

a court proceedingin which parties to a lawsuit present their evidence to a judge or a jury and thejudge or jury make a decision in favor of one party

substantiative law

laws that determine parties’ rights and oblogationns as opposed to the procedures used to enforce those rights

procedural law

laws that set forth legal procedures or methods used by parties to enforce their rights or to oppose claims made against them

criminal law

laws that prohibit conduct that society deems harmful and provide for punishmen in the form of jail, fines, or probation

crimminal procedure

the rules that apply in a criminal case and determine how a criminal case proceeds through the legal system; these are based on federal and state consitituions, codes,rulesof court, and cases