|
|
Legal Research Centers of West Virginia |
|
7 Tips : When Representing Yourself In Court |
Make A Good Impression.
If
you dress nicely, it tells the judge that you respect the courtroom and care
about your case.
Be
Respectful.
Be respectful to everyone in court, including the other side – and don’t argue with the judge. Try to stay calm.
Know
What to Ask.
You
can ask court officials for information about the process and what type of
information to put on the forms. But
remember, court employees can’t tell you what words to write on the forms or
what to say at the hearing.
Arrive
Early.
Arrive
early. Most judges like to start
on time. But some cases take
longer than expected, so be prepared to wait.
Tell
Your Story.
Tell the judge in a few brief sentences what your case is about and how you plan to prove the facts of your case. Lawyers call this an opening statement .
Come
Prepared.
Bring at least three copies of any evidence you plan to use. Write out the questions you plan to ask and go over them with your witnesses before the hearing.