{"id":368993,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/going-to-court\/in-the-courtroom-who-does-what.html"},"modified":"2024-04-14T01:16:17","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T06:16:17","slug":"in-the-courtroom-who-does-what","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/in-the-courtroom-who-does-what.html","title":{"rendered":"In the Courtroom: Who Does What?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">In the Courtroom: Who Does What?<\/h1>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/samuel-strom-j-d\/\">Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-bender-esq\/\">Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            April 14, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-key-takeaways fl-mb30\" data-testid=\"fl-key-takeaways\">\n    <div class=\"fl-card-content\">\n        <div class=\"fl-card-body fl-card-bg-teal fl-flex fl-flex-column\">\n                            <h2 class=\"fl-card-title fl-h2 fl-no-margin\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n                        <ul>\n<li>The parties in a court case vary by whether the case concerns civil law versus criminal law.<\/li>\n<li>The role of deciding the case&#8217;s outcome depends on whether it is a bench trial (with a judge) or a jury trial.<\/li>\n<li>Various court staff members may also be present to facilitate the court proceeding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>If you have an upcoming trial, whether it&#8217;s a civil lawsuit or a criminal case, you may have questions about what to expect. The court system is complicated, both in terms of structure and procedure.<\/p>\n<p>Each person in the courtroom has a different role. The following sections describe these different roles and what you can expect if you have an upcoming court hearing or appearance. A <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trial attorney<\/a> can also guide you through this process while protecting your interests.<\/p>\n<h2>Roles in the Court Process<\/h2>\n<p>There are several key players in a courtroom setting. Your court experience will differ depending on your role in the litigation. For example, a juror in a jury trial will have a vastly different experience than the criminal defendant in the case.<\/p>\n<p>The people involved in a court case generally include the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/plaintiff.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Plaintiff(s)<\/a>\u00a0(i.e., the person or entity that filed the lawsuit)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/defendant.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Defendant(s)<\/a>\u00a0(i.e., the person or entity the plaintiff has sued or the person whom the government charged with a crime)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/witness.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Witnesses<\/a>\u00a0who parties call to testify in the case<\/li>\n<li>Attorneys for the parties (e.g., the plaintiffs and defendants) and witnesses<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/judge.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Judge<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/juror.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jurors<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Court staff (e.g., the court reporter, the clerk, the bailiff, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>The Parties<\/h2>\n<p>The people or entities directly involved in a lawsuit are called parties. They are plaintiffs (the party who filed the civil case) or defendants (the party the plaintiff sued in a civil action or the government accused in a criminal case).<\/p>\n<h3>Plaintiff<\/h3>\n<p>The plaintiff in a civil case is the person, corporation, or other entity that files the lawsuit. At the trial court level, they have the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/burden-of-proof.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">burden of proof<\/a>\u00a0with regard to their claims.<\/p>\n<p>Generally, the plaintiff in a civil case must prove each element of their case by a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/preponderance-of-the-evidence.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">preponderance of the evidence<\/a>. This means that they must prove each allegation they make is more likely to be true than not.<\/p>\n<p>In a criminal case, the government acts as the plaintiff and prosecutes the criminal defendant. The prosecution must prove each element of the charged crimes\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/reasonable-doubt.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">beyond a reasonable doubt<\/a>\u00a0to secure a guilty verdict.<\/p>\n<p>The plaintiff or prosecution presents their case to the court first. Once they finish presenting their case, the defendant will present theirs.<\/p>\n<h3>Defendant<\/h3>\n<p>In a civil case, the defendant is the person, corporation, or entity against whom the plaintiff files their lawsuit. In a criminal case, the defendant is the person, corporation, or entity against whom the government has filed criminal charges.<\/p>\n<p>The defendant may present defenses to the plaintiff&#8217;s claims. Their job is to show the plaintiff hasn&#8217;t met their burden of proof.<\/p>\n<h2>Witnesses<\/h2>\n<p>Witnesses testify about the disputed facts or issues in the case. They sit on the witness stand, facing the courtroom. The judge swears in witnesses before they testify. The witness must take an oath to tell the truth before they testify.<\/p>\n<p>Any party to the litigation may call witnesses to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/do-s-and-don-ts-being-a-witness.html\">testify about the case<\/a>. They generally provide more information about the facts at issue in the case.<\/p>\n<p>There are several different types of witnesses, including the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Character witnesses<\/strong>\u00a0testify as to a person&#8217;s character or reputation. For example, a party calling a character witness to testify about the person who allegedly committed fraud would testify as to whether they believe the person is honest or truthful.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fact witnesses<\/strong>\u00a0offer testimony regarding facts at issue in the case. For example, in an elder abuse case, a party may call a caretaker to testify about the alleged abuser&#8217;s acts toward the elder.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Expert witnesses<\/strong>\u00a0are witnesses who possess specialized knowledge about a topic at issue in the case. For example, in a medical malpractice case, a party may hire an expert witness to testify whether a doctor&#8217;s actions met specific standard of care requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Because parties call witnesses to testify, they are often referred to as plaintiff&#8217;s witnesses, government witnesses, or defense witnesses.<\/p>\n<p>If witnesses don&#8217;t willingly appear to testify, parties may\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/what-is-a-subpoena.html\">subpoena<\/a>\u00a0them. A subpoena is a court order that requires someone to appear in court or produce specific documents. If the party disobeys the subpoena, the court may issue sanctions against the potential witness.<\/p>\n<h2>Lawyers<\/h2>\n<p>Any party to a case may hire an attorney to represent them. In a criminal case, the court will\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment6\/annotation08.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">appoint an attorney for the defendant<\/a>\u00a0if they prove they can&#8217;t afford one. Parties to a civil case don&#8217;t have a right to counsel. They can hire counsel, but the court will not appoint one. In some states, parties to small claims cases can&#8217;t hire attorneys.<\/p>\n<p>Each lawyer&#8217;s task is to provide legal advice to their clients and present their case in the most favorable light. Generally, an attorney will handle all aspects of a case for their client.<\/p>\n<p>The client, however, is ultimately in charge of how to proceed in the case. Although an attorney may recommend certain courses of action, the client can decide which route to take. For example, an attorney may recommend taking a case to trial, but the client may decide to pursue a settlement agreement instead.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, attorneys usually don&#8217;t work for free. Generally, parties must pay their own\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/attorney-fees-and-agreements.html\">attorney fees<\/a>. But sometimes, the court&#8217;s judgment may order the opposing party to pay for the prevailing party&#8217;s legal fees.<\/p>\n<h3>Prosecutors and Defense Lawyers in Criminal Court<\/h3>\n<p>In a criminal case, the government&#8217;s lawyer is called the prosecutor. The prosecutor is usually an assistant district attorney (state court cases) or assistant U.S. attorney (federal court cases).<\/p>\n<p>A public defender or private attorney may represent a criminal defendant. A criminal defendant who cannot afford an attorney (an indigent defendant) may ask the court to appoint an attorney for them.<\/p>\n<h3>Mediation and Arbitration Lawyers<\/h3>\n<p>An attorney can also provide advice regarding\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.findlaw.com\/litigation-disputes\/adr.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">alternative dispute resolution<\/a>\u00a0(ADR), which involves alternative ways to resolve a legal dispute compared to a trial. Popular methods of ADR include\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/adr\/mediation\/what-is-mediation-.html\">mediation<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/adr\/arbitration\/what-is-arbitration-.html\">arbitration<\/a>. An experienced attorney can advise whether the proposed settlement offer or demand is reasonable.<\/p>\n<h2>The Judge<\/h2>\n<p>Whether your case is in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.findlaw.com\/litigation-disputes\/whether-to-sue-or-defend-in-a-state-or-federal-court.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">state court or federal court<\/a>, and whether it&#8217;s a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/the-differences-between-a-criminal-case-and-a-civil-case.html\">civil or criminal case<\/a>, a judge will preside over your courtroom appearance.<\/p>\n<p>The judge ensures that all parties get a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/what-is-a-fair-trial-.html\">fair trial<\/a>. This includes ensuring the parties follow proper procedures (e.g., a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure.html\">criminal<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/corporate.findlaw.com\/litigation-disputes\/civil-litigation\/civil-procedure.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">civil procedure<\/a>), observe\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/your-conduct-in-court-can-affect-your-case.html\">courtroom decorum<\/a>, and respect the judiciary and legal process.<\/p>\n<p>The judge&#8217;s other roles in a court proceeding include the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To determine whether the evidence presented conforms to the applicable rules of evidence<\/li>\n<li>In jury trials, to instruct the jury as to the law and standards applicable to the dispute before jury deliberations begin<\/li>\n<li>In bench trials, to decide matters of law and fact and issue an opinion or judgment containing the court&#8217;s decision<\/li>\n<li>To sentence convicted criminal defendants<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For more information, read FindLaw&#8217;s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/what-is-a-judges-role-in-court.html\">article on a judge&#8217;s role<\/a>\u00a0in court and on appeal.<\/p>\n<h2>The Jury<\/h2>\n<p>The jury consists of jurors who decide the facts of the case. When the facts in a case conflict, the jury resolves the conflict. For example, in a civil lawsuit involving a car accident, the drivers may have conflicting versions of the events leading to the accident. The jury will listen to the parties present their cases. After the parties rest their cases, the jury will decide which driver was at fault. Their decision is called a verdict.<\/p>\n<p>In the American court system, every adult has a civic duty to participate in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/what-is-jury-duty-like.html\">jury duty<\/a>. Potential jurors may receive a court order called a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscourts.gov\/services-forms\/jury-service\/summoned-federal-jury-service\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">juror summons<\/a>\u00a0in the mail indicating they have to serve jury duty.<\/p>\n<p>At the start of jury trials, the parties and judge participate in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/voir-dire.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">voir dire<\/a>, also known as jury selection. The parties and judge may ask the potential jurors questions to ensure they can act as impartial triers of fact. The questions often focus on potential jurors&#8217; biases, as those could significantly affect a case. The parties have a right to reject potential jurors from serving on the jury. The jury usually consists of 12 people.<\/p>\n<p>Once the parties complete the jury selection process, the trial begins. Jurors listen to the parties&#8217; arguments and defenses. Once the trial concludes, the judge gives the jury instructions. Then, the jury deliberates the case and reaches a verdict. The jury foreperson will announce the verdict in the case.<\/p>\n<h2>Court Reporters<\/h2>\n<p>The court reporter sits near the witness stand and records everything said during the trial. This becomes the official record of the trial. Most court reporters use a stenotype, a machine that translates keystrokes into symbols corresponding to the spoken word.<\/p>\n<p>Any party that wants to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/appeals-appellate-courts-and-costs.html\">appeal the case to a higher court<\/a>\u00a0(usually an appellate court, also called a court of appeals) must request a transcript of the proceeding.<\/p>\n<p>Court reporters don&#8217;t work only in the courtroom. They also record depositions in attorneys&#8217; offices and some conferences in judges&#8217; chambers.<\/p>\n<h2>Court Interpreters<\/h2>\n<p>A court interpreter presents a verbatim rendition of a party or witness&#8217;s testimony. The court reporter records the interpreter&#8217;s translation, which becomes part of the court&#8217;s record of the proceeding.<\/p>\n<p>The court interpreter&#8217;s job is to interpret exactly what the witness or defendant says. If a witness needs help understanding a question, the interpreter may not use their own words to explain. Rather, the interpreter translates the witness&#8217;s request for an explanation to the attorney (or whoever asked the question), and that person must explain or rephrase the question. The interpreter then translates that explanation or rephrasing for the witness.<\/p>\n<h2>Courtroom Clerks<\/h2>\n<p>The court clerk (sometimes called the courtroom deputy) usually sits in the courtroom near the judge. The clerk does the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Takes care of records and exhibits<\/li>\n<li>Prepares <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/trial-and-verdict.html\">judgment and verdict<\/a> forms<\/li>\n<li>Generally helps the judge keep the trial running smoothly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Outside the courtroom, the clerk of court can provide procedural and general information about the legal process and court rules to litigants. However, they cannot provide legal advice.<\/p>\n<h2>Contact an Attorney For Help<\/h2>\n<p>No matter the reason, going to court can be an intimidating experience. Knowing more about how courts work may alleviate some of the stress of ongoing litigation.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, hiring an attorney can help while preparing for a trial. An experienced attorney can provide helpful legal services and advice as you progress through the court system.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a lawyer can help you with the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Whether to file your case in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/how-is-the-court-system-structured.html\">state court or a federal district court<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights.html\">legal rights as a criminal defendant<\/a>\u00a0charged with a felony or misdemeanor<\/li>\n<li>How to file a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/counterclaim.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">counterclaim<\/a>\u00a0in a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/personal-injury-law-the-basics.html\">personal injury lawsuit<\/a>\u00a0and other types of cases, like\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family.html\">family law<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation.html\">Appealing a case<\/a>\u00a0from a trial court to an appellate court or from the appellate court to your state&#8217;s supreme court<\/li>\n<li>How to respond to interrogatories and other\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/filing-a-lawsuit-the-discovery-process.html\">discovery demands<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Consider contacting a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">civil litigation attorney<\/a>\u00a0if you are involved in a civil lawsuit. If the government has filed criminal charges against you, contact a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense attorney<\/a>\u00a0for help.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" 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for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    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aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\"><div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    You want an attorney to represent you in court or during appeals\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium 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An attorney can offer tailored advice and help prevent common mistakes during litigation.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum:FL34\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find a local attorney<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n               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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FindLaw&#8217;s Litigation section describes the different people you will see in a courtroom and the various roles they play during a trial.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":368979,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":["SEO Title Length","External Links","Alt Text for All Images","Category 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