When disputes in Pennsylvania escalate to the point where legal intervention is required, one of the options available to resolve them is through a trial. A trial is a significant part of the civil litigation process, and understanding its intricacies is essential when you are faced with the decision of whether to pursue a trial or seek an alternative resolution method.
At Polishan Solfanelli, our litigation lawyers in Northeastern Pennsylvania know the stakes and will help you determine the best means to resolution. For our team, it's not only a matter of winning but also about obtaining the right remedies. If you need to file a lawsuit or defend against one, contact us at (570) 562-4520 to schedule a consult. We have the resources, knowledge, and skills to go to trial and persevere for the best possible outcome.
Understanding Civil Trials in Pennsylvania
A civil trial is a legal process where disputes between individuals, organizations, or entities are resolved in a court of law. Unlike criminal trials, which address offenses against the state, civil trials involve private disputes typically over rights, contracts, property, or damages. In a civil trial, the plaintiff (the party who brought the suit) seeks a remedy—often monetary compensation or specific performance—from the defendant (the party being sued).
Bench vs. Jury Trial
Civil trials can be either bench trials or jury trials, depending on the circumstances and the preferences of the parties involved.
- Bench Trials. In a bench trial, the judge serves as the fact-finder, deciding both the legal and factual issues. Bench trials are often chosen when the case involves complex legal issues that might be challenging for a jury to understand, or when the parties believe a judge is better equipped to render an impartial decision. Bench trials are typically quicker and less expensive than jury trials.
- Jury Trials. Civil jury trials involve a group of citizens who listen to the evidence and decide the factual disputes in the case. In federal court, a jury trial is guaranteed in civil cases under the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution for suits at common law where the amount in controversy exceeds twenty dollars. This right must be explicitly invoked by one of the parties; otherwise, the trial defaults to a bench trial.
The choice between a bench and a jury trial depends on the nature of the case, the strategy of the parties, and the jurisdiction. In many cases, jury trials are more common in personal injury or employment discrimination cases, where emotional appeals may play a role, while bench trials are more prevalent in disputes involving technical matters such as contract law or intellectual property.
Procedural and Substantive Legal Principles
A combination of federal and state laws, as well as procedural and substantive legal principles, govern civil trials. Examples of laws and rules include but are not limited to:
- Constitutional law, which governs fundamental rights and due process protections and includes the right to a jury trial in civil cases under the Seventh Amendment (federal level)
- Statutory law, which includes federal and state statutes that outline specific legal claims (e.g., contract disputes, tort claims, employment disputes, and consumer protection) like the Civil Rights Act
- Common law, which is based on judicial precedents established by court decisions and governs areas such as negligence, defamation, and breach of contract in the absence of statutory guidance
- Procedural law, which dictates the rules for how civil trials are conducted and includes the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) and the federal court level with state courts following their own procedural codes
- Rules of Evidence, which determine what evidence can be admitted at trial and includes the Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) at the federal court level with state courts following their own rules of evidence, often modeled on the FRE
- Substantive law, which defines the rights and obligations of parties involved in civil disputes and includes laws regarding contract formation, property rights, and tort liabilities
- Court rules, which are local rules established by courts to govern trial procedures and filings specific to that jurisdiction (e.g., scheduling orders, filing deadlines, and motions)
- Administrative regulations, which apply in cases involving agencies (e.g., labor disputes or environmental claims) and are governed by federal or state administrative bodies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Case law, which involves appellate and Supreme Court decisions that interpret statutes and procedural rules
During the trial and in accordance with the above laws, each side presents evidence and arguments to support its case. A judge or jury determines the outcome based on the preponderance of the evidence, which means the winning side's argument must be more likely true than not true.
What Happens During a Civil Trial in Pennsylvania
Once the parties have concluded the discovery process, either party may request a summary judgment from the court prior to the start of the trial. A summary judgment is a final decision, based on the evidence, issued by the court. When a summary judgment is issued, it is because a judge has determined the party requesting the summary judgment is entitled to it by law as there is no factual dispute.
Summary judgment is appropriate when all the evidence has been reviewed by the court and there is no additional evidence to be presented, and it is clear to the judge that the other party to the case could not win due to a lack of evidence. Either party can file a motion for summary judgment. A hearing is then scheduled to address the motion.
If the moving party loses their motion for summary judgment, or if no motion is made by either party, the case will move forward to trial. The trial itself happens in stages and each stage can vary given all the many different factors and circumstances that exist or that may occur. The following is simply an overview of what to expect.
Opening Statements
The plaintiff and the defendant have an opportunity to make an opening statement. This is an important step because it gives our attorney a chance to make a good first impression. We will explain your case and how we expect the trial to proceed.
Opening statements are persuasive and meant to sway a jury to see the case the way we want them to see it. During this part of the trial, we aim to set the case up and avoid being argumentative.
Presentation of Evidence
Evidence is presented by both the plaintiff and defendant at trial. The parties will sometimes object to evidence presented by opposing counsel, and when this happens, the judge must make a ruling as to whether or not the evidence should be allowed.
There are different types of evidence that are commonly used in civil trials, including contracts, other forms of documentation, photographs, and videos. Parties are generally aware of the evidence that will be presented by the other party due to the discovery process.
Witness Testimony & Cross Examination
Witnesses can be key to a civil trial. Each party has the opportunity to call witnesses in support of their case, and they have the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses called by opposing counsel. There are often a lot of objections during this part of the trial as each side wants to be sure that no testimony is given that is not allowed by the rules of evidence.
There are a variety of witnesses that may be called, including eyewitnesses, expert witnesses, and character witnesses.
Closing Statements
Closing statements, or arguments, are the attorney's final chance to explain why their client should prevail at trial. We will summarize the evidence that has been presented and how that evidence supports our position.
Jury Instructions
Before they are allowed to deliberate, a jury will receive instructions from the judge on how they should proceed with deliberations. The judge will instruct the jury on what the law is and the standard of proof that applies in the case. In civil trials, this standard is typically to prove a case by the preponderance of the evidence but sometimes it may include the need to demonstrate clear and convincing evidence, which is a higher standard than preponderance but lower than the standard in criminal trials, beyond a reasonable doubt.
Jurors are responsible for deciding the facts of the case. They also judge the credibility of the witnesses.
Jury Deliberation
Jurors meet together in a secure and private place away from the judge and parties to the case. No one is allowed to observe the jury as it deliberates. The jury will discuss the evidence presented at trial and will make a decision based on the evidence and the instructions given to them by the presiding judge.
Depending on the type of case, the jury may have to reach a unanimous decision or else a mistrial will result. A jury that cannot agree on a verdict is called a “hung jury.”
Verdict
Jury instructions typically include verdict options. The jury decides on the verdict and then notifies the bailiff, who notifies the judge. All parties return to the courtroom where the jury foreperson or the clerk of court reads the verdict.
Possible Outcomes of a Trial in Pennsylvania
In a civil trial, the outcome depends on the case specifics, the court's findings, and the relief sought by the plaintiff. Possible outcomes include:
- Judgment for the Plaintiff. The court rules in favor of the plaintiff, awarding damages, ordering specific performance, or granting other remedies requested in the suit. The defendant may be required to pay monetary compensation, perform or cease certain actions, or comply with terms outlined by the court.
- Judgment for the Defendant. The court rules in favor of the defendant, finding that the plaintiff failed to meet the burden of proof. No damages or specific actions are required from the defendant, and the case is dismissed.
- Partial Judgment. The court may issue a mixed ruling, where some claims or parts of the case are decided in favor of the plaintiff and others in favor of the defendant. This often results in a partial award of damages or limited orders based on the specific issues decided.
- Settlement Agreement. Although technically outside a court ruling, civil cases can end in settlement either before or during trial. In a settlement, both parties agree to terms that resolve the dispute, often including a negotiated payment or other terms. The settlement may or may not be approved or enforced by the court, depending on the agreement terms.
- Declaratory Judgment. The court issues a ruling that clarifies the legal rights or obligations of the parties without ordering any further action. This outcome is common in cases where one party seeks the court's interpretation of a law or contract.
- Dismissal. The court may dismiss the case, either with or without prejudice. Dismissal with prejudice means the case cannot be refiled, effectively ending the matter. Dismissal without prejudice allows the plaintiff to potentially refile the case if new evidence arises or procedural issues are corrected.
- Injunction. In some cases, the court may issue an injunction, a court order that requires the defendant to either do something (mandatory injunction) or stop doing something (prohibitory injunction). This is common in cases involving ongoing harm, such as intellectual property disputes or contract breaches.
Each of these outcomes can vary based on jurisdiction, the type of case, and the specific remedies allowed under the law.
Settlement versus Trial in Pennsylvania Civil Cases
Most civil cases in Pennsylvania are settled outside of court. Trial is costly and time-consuming, and avoiding it is important for many parties. That said, there are times when trial is advantageous or otherwise necessary.
Civil Trial Pros
- Potential for higher monetary awards
- Public record of legal vindication
- Comprehensive legal examination of case
- Binding precedent potentially set
- Full opportunity to present evidence
Civil Trial Cons
- Significantly higher legal costs
- Prolonged litigation timeline
- Unpredictable jury or judge decisions
- High emotional stress
- Public exposure of private matters
Settlement Pros
- Faster resolution
- Lower legal expenses
- Guaranteed outcome
- Private negotiation
- Less emotional strain
Settlement Cons
- Potentially lower monetary compensation
- No formal legal precedent established
- Admission of fault may be implied
- Limited legal discovery process
- Potential future claims might be restricted
Ultimately, the decision to go to trial or settle a civil litigation case should be based on a careful evaluation of the specific circumstances, including the strength of your case, your desired outcome, the costs involved, and the willingness of both parties to negotiate. Consulting with our trial attorney in Northeastern Pennsylvania can help you make an informed choice that aligns with your goals and interests.
Why Choose Our Trial Lawyer in Pennsylvania
Hiring a civil trial lawyer for a civil litigation case requires thoughtful consideration because it will significantly impact the outcome of your legal matter. Our clients choose us at Polishan Solfanelli because of our proven legal knowledge and skills combined with our unmatched commitment to help them receive the best outcome in their unique circumstances.
We thoroughly assess your case. Our skilled trial lawyer will assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case objectively. We will provide an honest evaluation of your chances of success so that you can make informed decisions about whether to pursue litigation or seek alternative resolutions.
We strategically plan for success. Our civil trial lawyer is adept at developing comprehensive legal strategies tailored to your specific case. We will formulate a plan to achieve your goals, whether it's obtaining compensation, defending against a claim, or seeking injunctive relief.
We are strong and persuasive negotiators. Many civil cases are resolved through negotiation or settlement rather than going to trial. Our trial lawyer is a skilled negotiator who can engage in effective settlement discussions. Our goal is to help you receive the best possible outcome without the need for protracted litigation.
We manage risks. Litigation carries inherent risks, including the potential for adverse judgments and financial costs. Our civil trial lawyer can help you understand and manage these risks so that you can make informed decisions about when and how to settle or proceed to trial.
We advocate for each and every one of our clients. Our primary duty is to advocate for your best interests. We will provide objective advice, protect your rights, and fight for a favorable outcome on your behalf.
We offer peace of mind. Having a qualified civil trial lawyer by your side can provide peace of mind during what can be a stressful and emotionally challenging process. You can trust that our attorney is working diligently to achieve the best possible result for you.
Contact a Civil Litigation Lawyer in Northeastern Pennsylvania Today
At Polishan Solfanelli, our civil litigators in Pennsylvania are committed to helping you make informed decisions about pursuing a trial or seeking a settlement. Contact us today at (570) 562-4520 or by filling out the online form to schedule a consult and take the first step toward resolving your legal dispute.