When you have been served a court summons, there are many things that will go through your mind. It is of great importance that you don’t act too impulsively. There are recommended steps you need to take in order to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward. If you take things easily and confront the issue step by step, you can get a good result. Here’s what you should when you’ve received a summons.
Take a Breath
Once you’ve been served, the first thing you need to realize is that you can’t change anything right away. Try to take things in stride as much as you can and inject logic into your situation. Simple acknowledgement of the situation will help you move forward.
Identify Elements of the Claim
Before you get too worked up, you need to read the claim in great detail to gain a greater context of the situation. This will help you work better with an attorney and help you assess what kind of counsel you will need. Lastly, you can assist your attorney in helping them point out any flaws in the plaintiff’s case against you.
Decide Your Pursuit
Each case varies, but give yourself 3 to 4 days to decide how you’ll pursue the case. Perhaps a huge victory will be in a workable settlement, or perhaps you can get the charges dismissed. Consult with experienced counsel before you decide as many consultations are free.
Prepare for a Battle
No matter what you decide, things are likely to get contentious. Be sure you are prepared to get the best possible result based on the choice you’ve made. Having an expert litigator can help lay out all the steps and ensure that you’re always prepared to wade through the waters.