Best Litigation Attorneys in Port St. Lucie

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Port St. Lucie, Florida?

  The non-emergency line in Port St. Lucie is 772-871-5000.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Port St. Lucie, Florida?

  Public records in Port St. Lucie are retrieved from https://portstluciefl.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(zy0kciwgjsggf5xtbv31f0sp))/supporthome.aspx. The sheriff's office takes requests through email at recordsunit@stluciesheriff.com and by phone at 772-462-3299.

• What is the remedy for litigants in Port St. Lucie who cannot afford a lawyer?

  Litigants in Port St. Lucie who cannot afford a lawyer have referral services like those from the Florida Bar, which would link the party to a pro-bono lawyer. The St. Lucie County Bar Association refers needy individuals, as does the Florida Rural Legal Services Inc. Depending on the case, an attorney may also accept a contingency-based remuneration agreement.

• Why do litigators in Port St. Lucie commonly also tackle alternative dispute resolution?

  Litigators in Port St. Lucie commonly tackle alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation because the trend is toward resolving civil disagreements out of court. Parties in the state frequently prefer to negotiate out of court before resorting to trial and the judiciary is content, as this development unclogs crowded dockets.

• Can a personal injury litigant in Port St. Lucie file a petition in court once five years have elapsed after a near-fatal car crash?

  A personal injury litigant in Port St. Lucie cannot file a petition in court once five years have passed after a near-fatal car crash. The state of Florida imposes a four-year statute of limitations on civil suits based on the negligence of a defendant. Here, five years have passed since the negligent act was committed, and the plaintiff is out of time.

• In Port St. Lucie real estate litigation, what are the common reasons for parties to go to court?

  In Port St. Lucie, real estate litigants commonly go to court when there are disagreements surrounding a contract because of vague provisions and ambiguous references. Tenants and landlords may dispute the terms and conditions of a lease agreement, while construction projects are prone to missing statutory requirements or to being completed in a substandard manner.

• How does multidistrict litigation in Port St. Lucie work?

  Multidistrict litigation in Port St. Lucie occurs when separate cases across several district courts are transferred to a single one for the pretrial phase. This is used when the separate and distinct causes of action nonetheless share common questions of fact, which can all be resolved in a single process before trial.

• What does a litigation attorney do?

  Litigation attorneys offer comprehensive legal representation before, during, and after litigation—aka the lawsuit. They provide initial consultations, investigate legal issues, draft pleadings, and oversee the discovery process. While litigators often are responsible for negotiating settlements and keeping cases out of court, their main job is presenting facts to a judge or jury at trial. Litigation attorneys also handle appeals and post-trial motions.

• Can an individual or business go to court without a litigation attorney?

  Generally, it’s possible to go to court without hiring a litigation attorney. In fact, lawyers are prohibited from practicing in some small claims courts. However, other cases are nearly impossible to prove without professional assistance. These include medical malpractice claims, wrongful death lawsuits, complex real estate disputes, and employment law cases. When assessing the feasibility of pro se representation, or representing oneself, individuals and businesses should evaluate their ability to develop a strategy, prepare legal documents, and present their case effectively. To prevail, plaintiffs must have a complete understanding of the law, local rules of civil procedure, and the facts of the case.

• What’s the difference between a lawyer and a litigator?

  Litigators, also called trial lawyers, are attorneys who present cases in the courtroom before a judge or jury. They may represent plaintiffs or defendants, including individuals and companies, in civil matters. Litigators investigate lawsuits, facilitate the discovery process, and prepare legal documents. While they may negotiate settlements, they’re equipped to take each case to court to achieve the best outcome for their clients.

• What’s the difference between a lawsuit and litigation?

  A lawsuit is a formal legal action that begins when the plaintiff files a complaint with the court. Litigation is a broad term that describes the entire process of resolving a dispute from sending notice of intent to sue, through pretrial preparations and beyond. It also includes settlement negotiations, courtroom proceedings, and appeals.

• What’s the difference between arbitration, mediation, and litigation?

  Arbitration, mediation, and litigation are three of the most common methods of resolving legal disputes. With arbitration, a case is heard by a panel of individuals called arbitrators who function as judges. In most cases, the parties are bound to the outcome. Mediation is typically a nonbinding process where discussions are facilitated by a single intermediary called a mediator. With litigation, a case is heard in a courtroom before a judge and jury, which is the most costly and time-consuming option, so it’s best suited for disputes that can’t be worked out using alternative methods.

• What is a civil lawsuit?

  A civil lawsuit is a court-based legal dispute between two parties that seeks court intervention and does not include punishment for a crime. While most civil lawsuits seek monetary compensation, they may also involve the pursuit of court action, such as a cease-and-desist order or an injunction. Since the majority of civil lawsuits are settled out of court, the process of pursuing a lawsuit usually begins with negotiations between the two parties. Any lawsuits that are not resolved through a settlement may go to trial and are decided by a judge or jury.

• What is a civil litigation lawyer?

  A civil litigation lawyer is a trial lawyer or litigator who specializes in handling all of the procedures involved in filing a civil lawsuit. Litigation is the process of resolving legal disputes between two parties, including before, during, and after a civil trial. A civil litigation lawyer may represent the person filing the lawsuit or the person being sued.

• What is a pre-litigation attorney?

  Because most civil lawsuits are resolved between the two parties, a pre-litigation attorney is any civil litigation attorney that can facilitate negotiations or a settlement prior to any legal action being taken. Some disputes may be settled through mediation, arbitration, or agreements and don't require any further legal action after a settlement has been reached.

• What does a commercial litigator do?

  A commercial litigator is a civil litigation attorney who specializes in disputes that involve companies rather than individuals. Commercial litigation is usually much more complicated than legal disputes between individuals and typically filed in the federal rather than the state court system. Commercial litigators also handle employment disputes between companies and individuals who are workers.

• How can I file a lawsuit against a company?

  Although you could file a lawsuit on your own, it's better to consult with a civil litigation attorney that's experienced in resolving disputes and negotiating settlements. The first step in filing a lawsuit should involve communication with the company in an attempt to reach an agreement. An experienced attorney is in a better position to reach a settlement that's in your best interest. Because lawsuits involve numerous steps, including filing motions, discovery, and other legal proceedings, you are better off working with an experienced professional rather than attempting to navigate the legal system on your own.