What is the process to bring civil charges against someone?

First you must determine the monetary amount or what it is you want done to the respondent, when you do that, you need to find out what court to go to. Magistrate or District, all depends on your state. Go to the appropriate court and obtain a "complaint", fill it out with as much detail as possible; pay the filing fee and wait for court, if the respondent fails to show, you could win by default, then you will be required to file more paperwork.