Since district courts, the site of small claims lawsuits, operate on a state level, the process needed to file a lawsuit may differ. Generally, the first step will involve consumer filing some level of consumer court complaints. Complaints are usually necessary and serve as documentation for the violation that took place. Consumers can submit complaints prior to their lawsuits through the Federal Trade Commission or state and local consumer agencies. If the complaint cannot be settled between the two parties, the consumer can initiate the lawsuit by filing a claim with their district court. The commencement of the lawsuit will be marked by a summons to the defendant, after which the defendant must reply to the court. At this point, a trial date would have been established and the lawsuit is set to occur. The court will now take authority, judging the case and determining if punitive damages are forthcoming to the plaintiff (consumer).