Question

In a civil trial, settlements may be negotiated:

a) at any time during the litigation
b) after arraignment
c) at no time once negotiation begins
d) only after the judge orders negotiation between parties

Answer 1

Settlements in a civil trial can be negotiated at any time during the litigation process. The Seventh Amendment grants the right to a jury trial, but many cases are settled before reaching the courtroom. The standard of proof is 'preponderance of the evidence' in civil cases.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a civil trial, settlements may be negotiated at any time during the litigation. This means that both parties have the flexibility to come to an agreement before the trial commences, during the trial, or even after the trial has started, but before the final verdict is delivered.

The Seventh Amendment ensures the right to a jury trial in civil cases in the federal courts when the value in controversy exceeds twenty dollars, but many disputes are resolved outside of the courtroom.

Plea bargaining, often used in criminal cases, is not applicable in civil law; instead, the term would be settlement negotiation or pre-trial negotiation. It is also important to note that in civil trials, the standard of proof is 'preponderance of the evidence', as opposed to the 'beyond a reasonable doubt' standard in criminal trials.