Be Your Own Lawyer
You’ve been injured in some way – loss of a job, an illegal foreclosure, a car wreck – and you’re going to sue for money damages. You could lose even with a judgment in your favor if you get the damages wrong. Learn to plead your damages properly.
And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.
When you reach the discovery stage of your case, the fun is just beginning. Now you get to evaluate your opponent’s evidence. Watch out for landmines though, like unanswered requests for admissions.
And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.
Evidence is the beating heart of any legal case, whether civil or criminal. It can pump life-giving blood into a legal argument or be anemic and fail in its purpose. The burden of proof determines whether evidence feeds an argument or starves it. To prepare for court, self-represented litigants must assemble evidence that can bear the weight of their claims or defenses.
And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.
Visit your local eviction court to see the judicial system chew people up and spit them out. It’s a battle between property owners and those who can’t afford shelter. No legal knowledge or training is needed to see the essential injustice in this process. But the rules of an unjust system are made to be broken.
And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.
Nothing in litigation is fast and easy. In fact, when you’re representing yourself, fast and easy is a fantasy. So, when in the thick of a case, you’re sitting at a table being deposed by (1) two youngish “good cop” lawyers wearing suits and benevolent smiles, and (2) a crusty old geezer attorney wearing a buzz cut, torn jeans, a shirt he picked up from a pile of discarded donations, and a scowl, you know things certainly won’t be fast or easy. So prepare for trial.
And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.
The way we approach litigation says a lot about our odds in court. If our approach is not ideal, the good news is that we can change. Yes, there are types of pro se litigants, defined by skill, knowledge, emotion, and personality. Discover your type to identify and address your weaknesses and boost your chances of success. In other words, come to conquer, not to appease.
And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.
You’ll likely fall back on your TV knowledge the first time you get sued. It won’t be long before you realize you’re out of your depth. You’ll feel confused, overwhelmed and desperate. But once you get your emotions under control, there are really only three things you need to do.
And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.
As the plaintiff in a major victory in federal court, Brian Vukadinovich has learned enough to write a manual for the pro se plaintiff. This short but comprehensive manual is filled with helpful tips on the entire process of bringing a lawsuit to trial, and winning it. Is it difficult to represent yourself in court? Yes. Is it doable with the right preparation? Absolutely!
And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.
Too often, a pro se litigant starts looking for help only when served with a summary judgment motion by the opposing party’s lawyer. It’s the worst possible time to learn the necessary legal skills, but it need not be fatal to your case. Here are the key steps to take in defeating summary judgment.
Appearing before a judge is one of the biggest challenges for pro se litigants. The judge has the power to kill your case or let it live another day. So, your nerves are taut. You’re not used to this kind of pressure. You’re not a lawyer! How do you get through a hearing? If you follow these tips, court hearings may not be a snap, but they won’t be a mess either.
