In which type of court do you file a lawsuit against someone?

A lawsuit against someone is typically filed in a civil court. Civil courts resolve disputes between individuals or entities where the plaintiff seeks compensation or specific performance from the defendant. These disputes can include claims related to contracts, property, torts, and other civil matters.

Criminal courts, on the other hand, deal with cases brought by the government against individuals accused of violating laws, where the focus is on punishing wrongful acts rather than resolving disputes between private parties. Federal courts handle cases involving federal law or disputes between states, but not all lawsuits are federal in nature. Juvenile courts are specifically designed for addressing legal issues involving minors, dealing mostly with cases related to youth offenders or child welfare. Thus, the correct venue for filing a general lawsuit concerning personal or civil matters is civil court.