Case_information_statement

A Case Information Statement (or Cover Sheet) is a document which is filed with a court clerk at the commencement of a civil lawsuit in many of the court systems of the United States. It is generally filed along with the complaint. Some states use similar documents for criminal cases as well.

The purpose of a Case Information Statement is to let the judge and court clerk know what type of case is being brought by the parties, so that the they can better prepare for the case to come to trial. Some courts (such as the court system of New Jersey) put different types of cases on different "tracks", to place limits on how long discovery should take.

If the lawyer filling out the Case Information Statement makes a mistake, or if circumstances change or new information is discovered, the party wishing to amend the statement may do so by making a motion to the judge in charge of the case.

Some courts use the term Cover Sheet for this document, but the content and purpose is the same. For example, the equivalent document in federal district courts is Form JS-44, Civil Cover Sheet. Similarly, California superior courts have a Form CM-010, Civil Case Cover Sheet.

Case Information Statements in civil cases

Questions typically asked on Civil Case Information Statements include:

• The underlying subject matter of the lawsuit
• Amount in controversy or remedies demanded
• Whether or not a jury trial is requested by either party
• Whether there are additional parties to be joined
• Whether the lawsuit is a potential class action or some other type of complex case
• Whether there are similar actions pending in other courts
• What, if any, previous relationship exists between/among the parties (e.g. employment, familial, business associates, etc.)
• Whether attorney fees are in contention (in some types of cases, attorney fees must be paid by the losing party)

In family law cases (such as divorce and child custody matters), the questions asked on the Case Information Statement are often longer and more detailed, requiring recitation of each party\'s employment situation, current income, and the assets and liabilities of each party.

Case Information Statements in criminal cases

Questions typically asked on Criminal Case Information Statements include:

• The attorneys involved in the case
• The basic facts and circumstances involved
• Whether the defendant is currently in custody or out on bail
• Whether or not there are co-defendants
• Whether or not all issues will be disposed of by this case
• Whether or not the constitutionality of any statute, regulation, or executive order is being challenged

References

• Greenberg, Bruce Esq. and Wolinetz, Gary K. Esq. Civil Trial Preparation. New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2007.

External links

Examples of case information statements

• Civil Case Information Statement, from the New Jersey Superior Court
• Civil Case Information Statement, from the New Jersey Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part
• Criminal Case Information Statement, from the New Jersey Superior Court
• Civil Case Information Statement from the California Courts of Appeal
• Civil Case Information Statement from the Circuit Courts of West Virginia.

Examples of civil cover sheets

• Form CM-010, Civil Case Cover Sheet from the Superior Courts of California

Other

• Explanation of Family Law Case Information Statement

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