Pleadings
A Microsoft Word Pleading Paper Template is on an above tab.
A Pro se must never plead but always stand mute. Explained in the jurisdiction argument. When asked to plead guilty or not guilty you say, “Your honor, there are no charges before this court and I stand mute.”
“If defendant enters plea of not guilty and is in court on day of trial, the court has jurisdiction over this person.” State v. Waters
Pleading is the beginning stage of a lawsuit in which parties formally submit their claims and defenses. Create the record and respond in your written pleadings. Pleadings and Practice are in the Common Law.
Overview
The plaintiff submits a complaint stating the cause of action. The defendant submits an answer stating his or her defenses and denials. The defendant may also submit a counterclaimstating a cause of action against the plaintiff.
Purpose
Pleadings provide notice to the defendant that a lawsuit has been instituted concerning a specific controversy or controversies. It also provides notice to the plaintiff of the defendant's intentions with regard to the suit.
Procedural Rules
Pleadings are part of a larger category of procedural rules. In state court, pleadings are generally governed by state procedural rules (for example, see Chapter 7 of California's Code of Civil Procedure. In federal court, pleadings are generally governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, particularly by Rules 7-16.
Further Reading
For more on pleading, see this New York University Law Review article, this Stanford Law Review article, and this Vanderbilt Law Review article.