Represent Yourself in Court FAQ

Questions:

• Is it ever sensible to appear in court without a lawyer?
• Can I learn everything I need to know to represent myself in court?
• Is it difficult to prepare the paperwork to initiate a lawsuit?
• I've filed my lawsuit. What do I need to do next?
• What are the stages of a typical trial?
• How do I question witnesses in court?
• When my case finally makes it to the courtroom, I'm afraid I won't know what to say, when to say it, or even where to stand. How can I learn what to do?
• When do I have a right to have my civil case heard by a jury?

Answer:

Is it ever sensible to appear in court without a lawyer?

When it comes to small claims court, yes, definitely. Small claims court was designed to be accessible to nonlawyers. In a regular, more formal courtroom, sometimes it's also a good idea to represent yourself. Hiring a lawyer is almost always unaffordable for disputes that involve less than $25,000 and often unaffordable for disputes in the $50,000-$100,000 range. In these cases, representing yourself may be your only reasonable option.

For More Information

For complete, up-to-date information on court rules and procedures, see Represent Yourself in Court: How to Prepare & Try a Winning Case, by Paul Bergman and Sara J. Berman (Nolo).