You’ve Been Served In Idaho! What now?
Idaho attorney, Wyatt Johnson answers some commonly asked questions that individuals have when they’ve been served with a lawsuit in Idaho.
3 Things To Be Aware Of Once You’ve Been Served
This can be scary if for no other reason than it’s undoubtedly a process you’re unfamiliar with. The legal system is complex, it’s formalistic, and it can be unforgiving. Get down, and make an appointment with your lawyer right away. Here are some things that you need to watch for when you have that complaint.
- In Idaho you have 21 days from the day you were served (the day you receive that complaint) to file some sort of appearance with the court.
- If the service or the lawsuit is against the company, you cannot represent yourself. It’s absolutely forbidden. You need a lawyer for that company, there is no way around it.
- If you don’t appear within that time, the court will assume that the lawsuit is well-founded and truthful and give the plaintiff whatever they want without further question. Once that’s done there is no going back.
If you appear in a lawsuit what happens next?
The fact that you’ve been sued doesn’t mean that it’s correct. It doesn’t even mean that the statements are true. A lawsuit is an accusation. You go to court to respond to the accusations:
- To say that’s not true.
- To say it may be true but that doesn’t mean they get what they want.
There are innumerable potential responses to any given lawsuit. Most people won’t know what those are. This is why you hire a lawyer.
Types of Lawsuits
- The case has little or nothing to do with you.
There are cases where many people need to be named and served because the courts going to be modifying some rights that may affect your interests, and the reason you are given this lawsuit is just to bring it to your attention.
- You made a mistake, or maybe something happened.
The legal system is also based on fairness. The courts are designed to dispense a fair result when unfortunate things happen. Even if you were wrong, you are still entitled to be treated fairly. So if you’ve been served call a lawyer. Once you meet with your lawyer and get that document in their hands you will be relieved. You will be able to make a case for fair treatment under the law.
Have you been served in Idaho? Give one of our offices in Boise or Twin Falls a call to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.
