PMCW Law

If you've ever spent time with an attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks or visited a law firm's website, you've probably heard or seen the words "mitigation" and "litigation" tossed around. Both are used in a legal cases, but what exactly do they mean? How are they different? The team at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. is here to help clear up this common point of confusion. LITIGATION Litigation refers to the scene most people imagine when they picture battling court cases. Litigation refers to the trial process - two parties and their attorneys vying for their unique positions in a courtroom, tried by either a judge or jury. Litigation is often extremely convoluted, time consuming, expensive, and - worst of all - unpredictable. Until the judge or the jury makes a decision about your case, neither party knows what the outcome will be. For these reasons, many people understandably attempt to avoid litigatio...

"Evidence may be supplied in the form of an affidavit ." "As lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks , it is our job to assist litigants ." "Due to mitigating circumstances , the defendant was found not guilty." Lawyers tend to use lots of legal jargon when working, and it can be hard to keep up if you're not familiar with these terms. That's why your local lawyers in Camdenton, MO have compiled a list of commonly used legal terms and their respective definitions. Our hope is that by taking the time to look over these terms and definitions now, you'll be better prepared next time you are faced with a legal issue.  (Definitions taken from www.jud.ct.gov ) Default -  To fail to respond or answer to the plaintiff's claims by filling the required court document, usually an Appearance or an Answer. Appearance -  The official court form filed with the court clerk which tells the court that you are representing yourself in a lawsuit or crimi...