<P> A lawsuit begins when a complaint or petition is filed with the court . This complaint should explicitly state that one or more plaintiffs seek ( s ) damages or equitable relief from one or more stated defendants , and also should identify the legal and factual bases for doing so . It is important that the `` plaintiff selects the proper venue with the proper jurisdiction to bring his lawsuit . '' The clerk of a court signs or stamps the court seal upon a summons or citation , which is then served by the plaintiff upon the defendant , together with a copy of the complaint . This service notifies the defendants that they are being sued and that they are limited in the amount of time of a reply . The service provides a copy of the complaint in order to notify the defendants of the nature of the claims . Once the defendants are served with the summons and complaint , they are subject to a time limit to file an answer stating their defenses to the plaintiff 's claims , which includes any challenges to the court 's jurisdiction , and any counterclaims they wish to assert against the plaintiff . </P>
<P> A lawsuit begins when a complaint or petition is filed with the court . This complaint should explicitly state that one or more plaintiffs seek ( s ) damages or equitable relief from one or more stated defendants , and also should identify the legal and factual bases for doing so . It is important that the `` plaintiff selects the proper venue with the proper jurisdiction to bring his lawsuit . '' The clerk of a court signs or stamps the court seal upon a summons or citation , which is then served by the plaintiff upon the defendant , together with a copy of the complaint . This service notifies the defendants that they are being sued and that they are limited in the amount of time of a reply . The service provides a copy of the complaint in order to notify the defendants of the nature of the claims . Once the defendants are served with the summons and complaint , they are subject to a time limit to file an answer stating their defenses to the plaintiff 's claims , which includes any challenges to the court 's jurisdiction , and any counterclaims they wish to assert against the plaintiff . </P>
who files the lawsuit in a criminal case
who files the lawsuit in a criminal case
one or more plaintiffs
one or more plaintiffs