How to Represent Yourself in Civil Court
Attorneys are very expensive, which means that unless your case is worth at least $25,000, it probably doesn't make financial sense to hire an attorney. This means you have to represent yourself in court, which can be a daunting task. A few tips will make the difficult journey a little more manageable, though.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Do-it-yourself legal guides
- Copy of the rules of civil procedure
- Copy of the rules of evidence
- Experienced legal contact
Instructions
-
-
1
Locate an attorney reference. If you don't have a friend or family member who fits this description, contact a local attorney and see if you can arrange an "unbundled" fee agreement. Basically, this means the attorney will not represent you in court, but will be available to answer your questions and help draft and review documents if you find yourself stumped.
-
2
Buy one or more legal procedural manuals. A good procedural manual will explain the rules of procedure and evidence in your case, and will help you with the practical aspects of conducting a lawsuit in your jurisdiction.
-
-
3
Purchase a legal treatise on the area of law that is the subject of your case. For example, if you are getting a divorce, you need to find a good manual on family law in your state.
-
4
Follow the rules of procedure. If you are in state court, you need to use the state rules of civil procedure, and if you are in federal court, you will use the federal rules of civil procedure. The rules of civil procedure explain how you can get information to the judge in your case, such as how to file pleadings, how to file motions, how to prepare for trial, and how to request an order from the judge.
-
5
Learn and follow the rules of evidence---state or federal rules, depending on your case. The rules of evidence will help you admit evidence, such as written documents, pictures, videos and witness testimony to the court.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Never guess what to file and when to file. Always consult the rules of civil procedure before you call the court. On the other hand, don't be afraid to call the court clerk and ask procedural questions. Most of the time he will tell you to hire a lawyer, but sometimes he will help you out.
If you show up in court unprepared and ignorant of the rules of civil procedure and evidence, don't expect mercy from the judge. You are expected to either hire an attorney or learn the rules so you can follow them.
