In legal terminology, who typically files a pleading?

The correct response highlights that the plaintiff or defendant typically files a pleading in legal proceedings. A pleading is a formal written statement submitted to the court that outlines one party's claims or defenses in the litigation process.

The plaintiff, the party initiating the lawsuit, files pleadings to set forth their case against the defendant, who is the party being accused or sued. Each party may file various types of pleadings, including complaints, answers, counterclaims, and motions, throughout the legal process. This is a fundamental aspect of civil litigation, where written documents serve to inform the court about the issues at hand and the stances of each party.

In this context, the other options do not fulfill the role of filing pleadings. A judge oversees the case and makes rulings, but does not file pleadings. The jury is responsible for determining the facts of a case based on the evidence presented but does not actively participate in filing any legal documents. The attorney general represents governmental interests or prosecutes cases on behalf of the state, but they do not file pleadings on behalf of private parties in civil cases. Thus, the role of filing pleadings is chiefly the responsibility of the parties involved in the litigation: the plaintiff and defendant.