If you have been involved in a civil trial that did not end as you had hoped, you may wonder if you can dispute the verdict. Fortunately, the legal system is set up to protect Nevada residents who have suffered unfair trials or verdicts, by allowing them to appeal their trial in certain cases. According to the American Bar Association, the losing side has the right to appeal in a civil case whether they were the plaintiff or the defendant. However, you will usually not be able to appeal a case simply because you were unhappy with the outcome. In most instances, you can appeal if you have a reason to suspect that the trial was in some way erroneous.
There are several factors you may wish to consider before deciding to appeal a case. First, you will need to understand that if you appeal, you will not be guaranteed a better outcome. In some cases, an appellate court may decide to order a retrial. Depending on your situation, you may either welcome the chance to try to prove your case in a new trial, or it could be the exact opposite of what you were hoping for. For example, you might not welcome the possibility of the increased cost and time of going through the legal process again.
However, you may find that the benefits of filing a civil appeal outweigh the potential drawbacks. Your opposition may be willing to settle the lawsuit in a manner you find favorable, rather than draw out the process in an appeal. You will also have the chance to correct any errors that occurred during the original trial, such as the mishandling of evidence.
Before making a decision on whether or not to appeal a verdict, you will need to carefully weigh the potential pros and cons this action could have for your particular case. While the information in this blog is meant to help you understand the appeals process, it is not intended to serve as legal advice.
