Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

I am plaintif in a quiet title action. We are doing case management conference. On case management statemenrt, 3c it reads additional parties may be added (defendants). I can name 5 other defendants. Whoever I name in this box am I suppose to serve them along with the defendants named in complaint or are these defendants separate from the ones in complaint? Or when we have the conference will the judge expect just the ones named in the complaint to be served or all the defendants plus the ones named in complaint?

In this civil matter if something comes up that is a crime does the court change the case to criminal instead of civil?


Asked on 8/21/18, 1:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

I am intending to be courteous and helpful to you in this answer, so please do not take offense at the statements.

You clearly know that you are 'ignorant' of the law, the rules of civil procedure and court rules. You have asked for help with them on this very early stage process. At this rate, you will need to ask for help/guidance/legal opinion at every step of the way. You will not get it from here or from 'friends'. What you need to understand is that you, as a pro per plaintiff, will be held to the same standard of knowledge as an attorney practicing law in that court. The judge is not going to 'help' you if and when you screw up. The opposing attorney is going to take advantage of you at every opportunity, I would in his position, it is my duty to MY client you are suing. Attorneys have gone to law school for at least 3 years, and passed a difficult Bar Exam, before becoming admitted to practice in court. So, it doesn't seem to be wise for you to think you can succeed in a complex system like this without knowing what and how to do things to 'prosecute' your case through trial and prove your case to a judge and jury.

Unless you are willing to go to the law library and do extensive online research to study and learn all the skills and information needed to do this job, it is likely going to end badly for your case, even if it is otherwise a 'good' and win-able case. If you have a 'good' case, you should be able to find an attorney willing to take it on some reasonable basis. If no attorney is even willing to tell you it is a 'good' case, and why, then you should reconsider your position on it. I recommend you at least consult with an experienced attorney to get such legal opinion before going any further.

I'm sure this sounds to you to be negative, and soliciting for attorney work, and it is, for some local attorney. But it is meant to be the raw truth, regardless of your opinion of it.

I hope this helps.

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Answered on 8/21/18, 1:43 pm


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