The courts
discovery
The pretrial phase where each side must hand over relevant evidence and answer the other's questions. It is where most cases are actually won, lost, or settled.
In full
Discovery includes document production, written interrogatories, requests for admission, and depositions. It is deliberately broad, on the theory that trials should not be ambushes, and it is the most expensive part of most litigation. Disputes over its scope are resolved by the judge, who can sanction a party that withholds or destroys evidence.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.