What are the rules about designating a defendant?
• You must be careful to designate the defendant properly using his/her/its exact legal name. If the defendant is a corporation, check with the California Secretary of State for the exact name and the agent authorized to receive service of process for the corporation. For other types of businesses, check the city business license or the county fictitious business name statement. If you do not designate the defendant’s exact legal name, you may not be able to enforce the judgment. • If your claim is against a governmental agency, you must first file a formal claim with the agency and have your claim denied before you file a claim in court. Generally, you have six months after the incident or dispute to file a complaint with the agency.
