Court Reporter Practice Exam

What documents does the plaintiff and defendant file in court?

1. Petition and response

2. Complaint and answer

3. Summons and counterclaim

4. Affidavit and motion

The correct answer is: Complaint and answer

The terms "complaint" and "answer" are fundamental components of the civil litigation process, serving as the initial documents filed by the plaintiff and the defendant. When a plaintiff initiates a lawsuit, they file a complaint, which outlines their allegations against the defendant, the basis for the court's jurisdiction, and what they seek as a remedy. This document is crucial because it formally begins the legal action and informs the defendant of the claims being made against them. In response to the complaint, the defendant files an answer. This document addresses each of the allegations presented in the complaint, either admitting, denying, or stating a lack of knowledge regarding each claim. The answer may also include any defenses the defendant intends to raise against the plaintiff's allegations. This pairing of the complaint from the plaintiff and the answer from the defendant establishes the foundation of the case, allowing both parties to present their sides of the dispute clearly and effectively to the court. Other options, while they involve legal documents, do not specifically represent the initial filings that initiate the lawsuit and set the stage for the proceedings.