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</form> </section> </div> </div> <section class="col-sm-12"> <div class="highlighted"> <div class="region region-highlighted"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> <ol class="breadcrumb"> <li > <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li class="active"> How do I...? </li> </ol> </div> </div> <a id="main-content"></a> <div class="region region-content"> <h1 class="page-header"> <div class="field field--name-name field--type-string field--label-hidden field--item">How do I...?</div> </h1> <div about="/cat/how-do-i"> <div class="field field--name-description field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>This section provides information to help you resolve your conflict through a Maryland Court or alternatives. Unlike the other parts of the site that focus on the law itself, this section focuses on the legal process and alternatives to going to court.</p> </div> <div class="views-element-container form-group"><div class="view view-eva view-taxonomy-term view-id-taxonomy_term view-display-id-entity_view_1 js-view-dom-id-a5aeb1091bd4be569ae5db3850783880a9e297168de7640883c0896fb6b91fda"> <div class="views-row"> <h3 class="js-views-accordion-group-header">General How do I...? Articles</h3> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/find-attorneys-charging-fee" hreflang="en">Find Attorneys Charging a Fee</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content"></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container form-group"><div class="view view-eva view-taxonomy-child-terms view-id-taxonomy_child_terms view-display-id-entity_view_1 js-view-dom-id-a82789f6ae8d8ae09a0c82e4675694cb90e2fd6c588462230a211bc35aaa8238"> <div class="views-row"> <h3 class="js-views-accordion-group-header">Evaluate My Situation</h3> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/deciding-who-sue" hreflang="en">Deciding Who to Sue</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Figuring out who to sue may not be as easy as you think. It is essential that you sue the right person or legal entity. You can lose your case if you sue the wrong person.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/evaluate-my-situation" hreflang="en">Evaluate My Situation</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Understand your case type because it determines how your case proceeds in the courts.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/finding-party" hreflang="en">Finding a Party</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Start by gathering as much information as you possibly can. Begin with basic information, (name, age, social security number) and then expand from there.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/six-resources-finding-information-about-business" hreflang="en">Finding Information about a Business</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">If you need to sue a business, you must first determine exactly who owns it. If you make the wrong choice, you may win a judgment but not be able to enforce it or you may lose your case altogether.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/how-find-lost-vital-records" hreflang="en">How to Find Lost Vital Records</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Vital records include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records. The records are maintained by the state or local government where the event took place. Getting copies of these records can be a lengthy, frustrating, and even costly process. This is especially so if you need to hire someone to find them for you. Here is information about how to do it yourself. </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/statute-limitations" hreflang="en">Statute of Limitations</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">The phrase "statute of limitations" refers to the limited period of time within which you can file a lawsuit against someone who harmed you.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/using-private-investigation-service" hreflang="en">Using a Private Investigation Service</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">A private investigator can help you find information and people.</div></div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <h3 class="js-views-accordion-group-header">Alternatives to Court</h3> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/demand-letters-tips-making-demand" hreflang="en">Demand Letters - Tips on Making a Demand</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">The word “demand” is misleading. “Demand” makes it sound as if the best strategy is to be aggressive in your approach to the person or business with whom you have a dispute. Try to resolve your dispute with the other side before going to court.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/family-mediation" hreflang="en">Family Mediation</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Family mediation is the mediation of disputes in actions for divorce, annulment, paternity, child custody or visitation, child support, or alimony. Mediation can be used to resolve the entire range of family disputes either court proceedings or after (e.g., continuing disputes from a custody agreement).</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/find-alternatives-court" hreflang="en">Find Alternatives to Court</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Before you sue, try to settle. Many cases come to trial needlessly because the parties have not attempted to communicate with each other.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/frequently-asked-questions-about-mediation" hreflang="en">Frequently Asked Questions About Mediation</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Frequently asked questions about mediation. Mediation is a process where a trained impartial person helps people in a dispute communicate, understand each other, and reach agreement if possible.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/mediation" hreflang="en">Mediation</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Mediation is a process where a trained impartial person helps people in a dispute communicate, understand each other, and reach agreement if possible.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/practical-tips-negotiating-your-own-behalf" hreflang="en">Practical Tips on Negotiating on Your Own Behalf </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Prepare before negotiating with the other side. Negotiations are an important tool that can save time and money while resolving your case. Remember, going to court is costly (e.g., court fees and costs, potential attorney fees, time off work.) The court process can be emotionally exhausting. Below are a few tips on conducting a successful negotiation.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/talking-other-side-options" hreflang="en">Talking to the Other Side: Options</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Many legal problems can be resolved through negotiation. Negotiating on your own behalf can be the solution to many minor disputes.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/tips-selecting-mediator" hreflang="en">Tips for Selecting a Mediator</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Mediators are trained in conflict resolution. They have experience helping people to communicate better with each other, even when it seems impossible for any agreement to be reached. For mediation to be effective, you should be comfortable with your mediator and discuss your needs openly.</div></div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <h3 class="js-views-accordion-group-header">Get Help</h3> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/find-attorneys-charging-fee" hreflang="en">Find Attorneys Charging a Fee</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content"></div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/get-help" hreflang="en">Getting Legal Help in Maryland: What is it, and what does it cost?</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Getting help from a professional can make a major problem or question much easier.&nbsp; Many organizations in Maryland provide legal and non-legal free, low-cost, and fee-based services.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/how-work-attorney" hreflang="en">How to Work with an Attorney</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">When you hire a private attorney, choose what kind of relationship you will have with your attorney.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/limited-scope-representation" hreflang="en">Limited Scope Representation</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Limited scope representation is when you and your attorney agree that the attorney will provide some, but not all, of the work involved in your legal matter. You are still responsible for completing all of the tasks that the attorney did not agree to provide. Limited scope representation is also called “unbundling” or “discrete task representation.”</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/negotiating-fee" hreflang="en">Negotiating the Fee</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Fees are often of primary importance to clients and lawyers but are one of the least discussed parts of any legal case. Frequently, fees are not discussed early enough, candidly enough, or in enough detail because the discussion can be uncomfortable.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/tips-hiring-private-attorney" hreflang="en">Tips on Hiring a Private Attorney</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">This article addresses levels of representation, questions you should ask before meeting with a lawyer, interviewing a lawyer, what to look for during the interview, and what to ask about services.</div></div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <h3 class="js-views-accordion-group-header">Legal Research</h3> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/evaluating-legal-websites" hreflang="en">Evaluating Legal Websites</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">This article is intended to help you evaluate legal information that's available online.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/finding-and-using-secondary-sources" hreflang="en">Finding and Using Secondary Sources</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Secondary sources are resources that you can use to aid your understanding of the law but are not themselves considered law.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/finding-case-law" hreflang="en">Finding Case Law</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Case Law is made by judges. Case law is made up of the published opinions of a court on a particular case. Opinions are written explanations of why the judges decided the case the way they did.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/finding-court-rules" hreflang="en">Finding Court Rules</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">The Maryland Rules are rules that lay out the procedures that must be followed when conducting business with the Maryland State courts. </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/finding-regulations" hreflang="en">Finding Regulations</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Regulations are laws made by executive branch agencies. Executive branch agencies have the authority to make laws based on statutes passed by the legislatures. </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/finding-statutes" hreflang="en">Finding Statutes</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">A statute is a written law passed by a legislative body. Maryland's legislative body is the Maryland General Assembly. Congress is the legislative body for the United States.<br /> </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/getting-help-law-librarians" hreflang="en">Getting Help from Law Librarians</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Legal research can be a complicated process. Although there is a lot of free legal information on the Internet, the information may not all be accurate or detailed enough to answer all of your questions. If you are serious about handling your own legal problems, it's a good idea to go to a law library and seek research advice from a law librarian. </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/basics-finding-law" hreflang="en">The Basics of Finding the Law</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">This is a quick overview of where to find the "law." </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/understanding-how-maryland-statutes-are-made" hreflang="en">Understanding How Maryland Statutes Are Made</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">The General Assembly is Maryland's legislative body and enacts Maryland laws called statutes. </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/understanding-legal-research" hreflang="en">Understanding Legal Research</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">The purpose of legal research is to find legal documents that will aid in finding a solution to a legal problem. </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <h3 class="js-views-accordion-group-header">Start/Respond to a Case</h3> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/find-court-and-legal-forms" hreflang="en">Find Court and Legal Forms</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Many, but not all, court forms are available through the Maryland Judiciary website. Below are the links to some of the most commonly used forms from Maryland's District and Circuit Courts, Maryland's Office of Register of Wills, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, and selected other sources. Local public law libraries can provide additional resources, including sample forms when there is not an official form for the legal action.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/frequently-asked-questions-about-service-process-maryland" hreflang="en">Frequently Asked Questions About "Service of Process" in Maryland</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">"Service of Process" is making sure the other side gets a copy of the papers you are filing (for example, a complaint). </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/how-calculate-damages-district-court-cases" hreflang="en">How to Calculate Damages in District Court Cases</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Damages refers to the money that you are seeking in order to compensate you for some legal wrong that was committed by the other party. The person who claims damages must prove the amount of damages.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/how-file-case" hreflang="en">How to File a Case</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Learn the steps to starting a lawsuit.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/how-respond-case" hreflang="en">How to Respond to a Case</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Learn the steps to respond to a lawsuit.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/service-and-certificates-service" hreflang="en">Service and Certificates of Service</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Service is the act of providing documents to the required people (usually, the other parties or their lawyers) involved in a legal matter. The general purpose of service is fairness. </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/small-claims" hreflang="en">Small Claims</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Small Claims Court is a division of the District Court of Maryland that handles disputes involving no more than $5,000.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/basics-starting-your-case" hreflang="en">The Basics of Starting Your Case</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Things to consider before filing a lawsuit.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/difference-between-large-claims-and-small-claims" hreflang="en">The Difference Between Large Claims and Small Claims</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Understanding these important differences will help you prepare and present your case in the District Court.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/what-do-when-you-have-been-sued-small-claims-court" hreflang="en">What To Do When You Have Been Sued in Small Claims Court</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">If you have just been served with (given a copy of) a Summons and a Complaint to appear in Small Claims Court, you are now the defendant in a lawsuit. Small Claims Court is part of the District Court of Maryland.</div></div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <h3 class="js-views-accordion-group-header">Discovery and Evidence</h3> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/maryland-circuit-court-discovery-5-answers-and-objections" hreflang="en">Circuit Court Discovery - Answers and Objections</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Under the Maryland Rules, you must provide the opposing party with your discovery answers within either 30 days after service of the request or 15 days after the date on which the party’s initial pleading or motion is required, whichever is later.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/maryland-circuit-court-discovery-1-depositions" hreflang="en">Circuit Court Discovery - Depositions</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">A deposition is a question-and-answer session during which an individual provides testimony relating to the subject matter of the lawsuit under oath. There are two types of depositions – written and oral. Because written depositions are so rarely used, this article will address only oral depositions.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/maryland-circuit-court-discovery-frequently-asked-questions" hreflang="en">Circuit Court Discovery - Frequently Asked Questions</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Frequently asked questions about discovery in the Maryland circuit courts.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/maryland-circuit-court-discovery-4-other-methods" hreflang="en">Circuit Court Discovery - Mental or Physical Examinations of Persons</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">When a party’s mental or physical condition is in controversy in a lawsuit, the Court may order the party to undergo a mental or physical examination by a professional.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/circuit-court-discovery-requests-admission-facts-and-genuineness-documents" hreflang="en">Circuit Court Discovery - Requests for Admission of Facts and Genuineness of Documents</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">There are two types of request for admissions. The first type asks the opposing party to admit or deny the truth of facts. The second asks the opposing party to admit or deny the genuineness of documents or ESI.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/maryland-circuit-court-discovery-3-requests-production" hreflang="en">Circuit Court Discovery - Requests for Production</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">You may ask the opposing party to produce documents, tangible things, and electronically-stored information (“ESI”), and to permit you to enter land or property. </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/maryland-circuit-court-discovery" hreflang="en">Discovery</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">"Discovery" is a process you can use to find out information from another party to support your lawsuit. The purpose of discovery is to find out the information you need to prove your case or defend against the claims being made against you. You must figure out who you believe knows information that may be important to your case.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/discovery-interrogatories" hreflang="en">Discovery - Interrogatories</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">An interrogatory is a written question from one party to the lawsuit to another party to the lawsuit (usually, the opposing party). Interrogatories are a way to obtain information from the opposing party that may be useful in the lawsuit. </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/how-do-i-prove-damages" hreflang="en">How do I Prove Damages?</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">In a legal case, “damages” refers to the money that you are seeking in order to compensate you for some legal wrong that was committed by the other party.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/how-calculate-damages-district-court-cases" hreflang="en">How to Calculate Damages in District Court Cases</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Damages refers to the money that you are seeking in order to compensate you for some legal wrong that was committed by the other party. The person who claims damages must prove the amount of damages.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/proving-fact-court" hreflang="en">Proving a Fact in Court</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">In court, it's not enough to know a fact - you have to be able to prove it. That means you have to be able to convince a jury or a judge that the fact is most likely true. </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/social-media-evidence-trial" hreflang="en">Social Media Evidence at Trial</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">There are two steps in successfully using social media evidence (like a Facebook profile or post) from the opposing party as evidence in a trial. </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/using-statements-and-documents-support-your-case" hreflang="en">Using Statements and Documents to Support Your Case</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Sometimes when you file a motion or a response to a motion with the court, you may make statements about information that the court does not know. The statements you are making may have never been included in any papers filed with court, nor been mentioned in front of the court. </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <h3 class="js-views-accordion-group-header">Prepare for Court</h3> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/guide-finding-court-interpreter" hreflang="en">A Guide to Finding a Court Interpreter</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Do you need help with English in order to make sure that your story is told accurately in court?<br /> Ask the court clerk for a form or help in getting an interpreter. If the court decides that an interpreter is needed, the court will provide one.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/what-expect-courtroom" hreflang="en">Courtroom Behavior and What to Expect in the Courtroom</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">You have prepared your case, including how to present your case to the court, but what can you expect in the courtroom?</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/filing-motion-maryland-circuit-court" hreflang="en">Filing a Motion in a Maryland Circuit Court</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">A motion is a request asking the court to give an order that the court or another party must do something. During a hearing or trial, you can make a motion verbally. At any other time, you must make your motion in writing. Your motion must say what you are asking the court to do.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/how-can-i-contact-judge-my-case" hreflang="en">How can I contact the judge in my case?</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">If you are involved in a court case, you are generally not allowed to privately contact the judge about the case.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/preparing-your-case" hreflang="en">Preparing Your Case</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Basic, essential steps to help get you started with preparing your case for trial.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/presenting-your-case-to-the-court" hreflang="en">Presenting Your Case to the Court</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">You have prepared your case. The content is ready. Now think about how you are going to present that information to the judge.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/proving-fact-court" hreflang="en">Proving a Fact in Court</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">In court, it's not enough to know a fact - you have to be able to prove it. That means you have to be able to convince a jury or a judge that the fact is most likely true. </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/subpoenas-do-i-need-one-and-how-can-i-use-one-under-maryland-law" hreflang="en">Subpoenas: Do I need one, and how can I use one under Maryland law?</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Subpoenas are formal legal documents used in civil and criminal cases to order someone to bring documents or other physical evidence to a court proceeding, or to order someone to appear to testify at a court proceeding. </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <h3 class="js-views-accordion-group-header">Judgments</h3> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/affidavit-judgments" hreflang="en">Affidavit Judgments</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">This article discusses Affidavit Judgments, what they are, how to get one, and available defenses. </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/collecting-judgment" hreflang="en">Collecting a Judgment</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Obtaining a judgment is the first step to collecting money owed by a defendant. This article describes options after the judgment is awarded and the money needs to be collected.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/default-orders-judgments-maryland" hreflang="en">Default Orders & Judgments in Maryland</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Default Orders & Judgments in Maryland: What are they and what can I do if I get one?</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/enforcing-judgment" hreflang="en">Enforcing a Judgment</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">This article describes what a judgment is and an overview of options for collecting the judgment.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/enforcing-court-orders-overview-contempt-court" hreflang="en">Enforcing Court Orders – Overview of Contempt of Court </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Contempt of court occurs when someone violates a court order. When that happens, a party may file a petition for contempt. If a party is found in contempt, the court may issue sanctions against the party not following the court order.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/garnishment" hreflang="en">Garnishment</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">To garnish is to take property, most often a portion of someone's salary, by legal authority. Garnishment is a proceeding by a creditor to collect a debt by taking the property or assets of a debtor.</div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/what-employers-need-know-about-wage-garnishment" hreflang="en">What Employers Need to Know About Wage Garnishment</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">To garnish is to take property, most often a portion of someone's salary, by legal authority. 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class="field-content"><a href="/filing-appeal-court-appeals" hreflang="en">Filing an Appeal in the Supreme Court of Maryland</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Learn about filing a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari to appeal your case to Maryland's highest court. </div></div> </div> <div class="views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/appeal-decision" hreflang="en">Frequently Asked Questions about Appeals</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-lr-description"><div class="field-content">Learn about the appeals process and review common questions.</div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <footer class="footer container-fluid" role="contentinfo"> <div class="region region-footer"> <section id="block-footerimage" class="block block-block-content block-block-content8f2b1a37-aa4a-4e56-bf58-943d401f2ed9 clearfix"> <div 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