Filing a Complaint or Petition
Any complaint or petition for relief in a court must be filed within the statutory time limit (Statute of Limitations). These statutes vary from state to state. These statutes also vary depending on what your cause of action is. For example, in many states, the statute of limitations regarding a cause of action for breach of contract is three years, while the cause of action for an intentional tort, like slander, is one year.
A complaint is a general statement of the plaintiffs claim. The complaint must describe the actions that led to the claim of a violation (i.e., violation of rights). The claim can be for money damages. It could also be a claim for equitable remedies like specific performance (e.g., court forcing a party to abide by a contract) or an injunction (e.g., stopping a person from doing something). The complaint must establish jurisdiction of the court in which it is filed. For example, if the complain is filed in federal court, it must show diversity of citizenship or that a federal statutory or constitutional question is involved.
Service of Process
This generally involves attaching a copy of the complaint to a summons which is served on the defendant. The summons explains to the defendant what is going on and certain rights that that the defendant has. The summons explains:
o That the defendant is being sued;
o The name of the Court in which he is being sued;
o When he must file an answer; and
o The fact that a default judgment will be entered if no answer is filed.
The summons (or process) is delivered by an office of the court. In many state courts, this can be a deputy sheriff or a professional process server. Deputy Marshals or process servers are used in federal court. Constables are used in justice court of some states. In exceptional circumstances, when the defendant can not be found, service may be made by publication in a newspaper.
The summons must normally be served on the individual defendant. Some states allow service on a member of defendants household if the defendant is not available. A plaintiff must serve a corporate defendant by serving the registered agent or an appropriate officer of the corporation.
A Complaint and Summons Ticket in NJ is an official legal document issued by law enforcement officers to individuals who have allegedly violated certain laws or regulations within the state of New Jersey. It serves as a notice of wrongdoing and initiates the legal process against the accused party. This detailed description aims to provide valuable information about the different types of Complaint and Summons Tickets in NJ, along with the related keywords. 1. Traffic Complaint and Summons Ticket NJ: One common type of Complaint and Summons Ticket in NJ pertains to traffic offenses. These tickets are issued for violations such as speeding, reckless driving, running a red light, driving without a license, or driving under the influence (DUI). The purpose is to notify the accused individual about the violation and provide a court date for them to appear and address the charges. 2. Municipal Ordinance Complaint and Summons Ticket NJ: This type of Complaint and Summons Ticket is issued for the violation of municipal ordinances within specific towns or cities in New Jersey. These violations may include noise disturbances, public intoxication, littering, trespassing, or violating local parking ordinances. The ticket outlines the violation and provides information on how to contest or resolve the charges. 3. Criminal Complaint and Summons Ticket NJ: In cases where an individual commits a more serious offense, such as theft, assault, drug possession, or burglary, a Criminal Complaint and Summons Ticket may be issued. These tickets are typically issued by law enforcement officers and serve as a formal notice of the charges pressed against the accused. The ticket provides information regarding court appearances and legal options available to the accused individual. 4. Fish and Game Complaint and Summons Ticket NJ: For violations related to wildlife preservation and conservation, a Fish and Game Complaint and Summons Ticket can be issued. These tickets usually pertain to illegal hunting, fishing without a permit, exceeding catch limits, or violating specific regulations set forth by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. The ticket includes details of the offense committed and instructions for attending court proceedings. Keywords: Complaint and Summons Ticket NJ, traffic offenses, municipal ordinance violation, criminal charges, New Jersey law enforcement, court appearance, legal options, wildlife preservation, conservation, Fish and Game violations, hunting, fishing regulations, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.