Lawyers on the Line - How Does a Civil Trial Go?

Tonight we’re talking about how a civil trial works. In a criminal case, the government is trying to convict a defendant of a crime. In a civil case, one party is suing another - usually for damages in the form of money. Trials of civil cases are rare these days. Our panelists are experienced civil trial lawyers, here to talk about the mechanics of a civil jury trial and answer your questions about the process.
Bob Falsani, partner at Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Balmer
Jim Balmer, partner at Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Balmer
Sara Nachtman, an attorney with Thibodeau, Johnson & Feriancek

[@vladghenciu8459]

“So many prosecutors can secure death sentences but cannot get a plaintiffs verdict when they become civil plaintiffs attorneys, it’s the system not the lawyer” paraphrasing Rick Friedman

[@ld2lightu]

Civil case is the audio lines laying all over the set in the shot. Criminal case is when the audio level blows your speakers at home and causes ear damage despite your producer warning you in writing the levels were too high multiple times.

[@helenewebster9462]

Learned a lot, Thanks❗

[@personalinjuryshow]

Solid info 👍

[@robertbrown785]

In Illinois I am having a judge say he is acting in my son’s best interest. Yet he always goes against my son’s best interest.

[@terrigiles5526]

I have a civil case and trying to do it my self i don't know what's going to happen. But I just put in my witnesses names. But real fast I worked for a guy on a number of things and the last project was for me to moved closer to where he lived are you uprooted me and my family from a home of 5-year-olds. I I put in 33 grand in this home and other work and we moved in on August 17 he had to guys at my door the next day saying they wanted to see my home I was like hmmm why they said we are buying it. I was dumbfounded. I put a lien on the home. And this man has followed me harassed me if you have a stay away order I have videos all kinds of evidence 17 witnesses.

[@terrigiles5526]

I don't have money so I'm kinda stuck I'm working hard on this case tho

[@GMR.44]

Is the case still ongoing, did you receive a settlement in your favor? Just curious.

[@terrigiles5526]

@@GMR.44 it's over and yes it did I didn't get what I put in but I just wanted it over with. I did all my own legal work

[@inessastanisloff5363]

@@terrigiles5526 How long it took you to put everything together?

[@terrigiles5526]

@@inessastanisloff5363 it took about a yr

[@Asian_Connection]

Can someone tell me who is liable if someone gets hurt when I'm backing out of my driveway because my neighbor refuse to take down a fence that obstructs the view? I have notified him that if he doesn't take it down he is consenting to full liability.

[@galehess6676]

it's on you, you knew the risk and didn't back in or get a spotter. If his fence was not permitted, or is higher than allowed... partial negligence on his part, and part on yours, TBD by court/trial/attorneys from insurance co. don't worry about it.

[@kristybarnes2563]

I can guarantee you it's because you can't get an attorney to take a civil case no matter how factually grounded it is. Im still fighting my own civil matter.

[@danhilbert6163]

It's even harder to get an attorney to represent you as a tenant. Unless the attorney specializes in landlord/tenant laws, your chances are fat or slim. That's because attorneys have very little knowledge of landlord/tenant laws because they haven't actually read the damn laws.

[@treepocket2834]

@@danhilbert6163 could be because you are contacting the wrong type of attorney, as you actually, yourself, said. Attorneys have knowledge in the area they work in..... There are different aspects and specialization of such.