[slantyyz]

> The act of being sued is plenty of punishment.

This is so true and so many people don't realize it.

It's easy to be idealistic about these things until it actually happens to you.

Being "in the right" doesn't mean you'll win ("right" according to your morals/ethics and "right" legally are often two completely different things) and it doesn't mean that the costs of fighting - financial, personal, etc. won't ruin you, especially when the plaintiff is stubborn, vindictive and has deeper pockets than you do.

More often than not, you'll end up settling civil cases, and the tangible and intangible costs that you accrued while fighting your case are usually victory enough for the plaintiff.