The Court is a very traditional and polite place. When you are representing yourself in Court you are trying to persuade a judge or a jury that you
are right. So you must act, dress, and speak in a way that helps you with your case.
•When you come to Court, dress as professionally as possible. This means clothes that are neat and clean, and without holes. You should be
clean and neatly groomed.
•How you act is as important as how you look. You must be respectful to everyone in Court. This includes the judge, court staff, the other party
involved in your case, witnesses, and people in the hallways.
•The Court has a very busy schedule, so you must be on time for the judge or for any other appointment. If you are late, your case might get
postponed, or you could get in trouble with the judge. Make sure you bring all the court documents you need for your appointment.
•The judge or commissioner cannot speak to you about your case except when your case is being heard and when the other party is there. The
judge’s staff will help you in any way they can with questions like when your hearing is scheduled or whether the judge has decided yet on your
case. But, staff cannot give you legal advice or recommendations on what you should do. Always be polite with judges and with Court staff, and
be prepared to provide any information they request.
•When you represent yourself in Court, get legal advice from a lawyer ahead of time to make sure you are doing the right thing. Legal advice
includes deciding what option is best for you. Some lawyers provide "coaching" which is a way of helping you help yourself. This is different from
and cheaper than hiring a lawyer to represent you.
In summary, always remember the 4 p’s; Professionalism, Punctuality (or being on time), Politeness, and Preparation. This will go a long way
toward helping you help yourself in Court.
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