Four Keys to Represent Yourself in Court Pro Se

Attorney Damon Moore shares four things you need in order to know how to represent yourself in court or represent yourself in family court. When you try to represent yourself pro se you face many challenges, but those challenges can be overcome with the help of videos like this one.

[answer]

When your case is too big for any law firm to want to touch, you must represent yourself. This is a mammoth task in which I am faced, and I will rise to the challenge.

[ashleybellerose]

It scares me when people say i don't recommend it because I have no darn choice, guys ... please just give me the best advice. Id have a attorney if i could afford one

[Dustin-yclx]

I think its best to represent yourself because most of the lawyers are in the pockets of the judges and they're all just in it for the money

[chantelmorset]

A prepared person can represent themselves successfully . The problem is getting a judge with integrity and will follow the law.

[gigsquared]

These are great information. It is daunting representing yourself because you have to be prepared. In my case I did hire a lawyer but quickly realized the other side used litigation as tool and there was no way I would survive keeping a lawyer. First step I took was get a basic understanding of the law by taking a free course on Introduction to American Law, this was intro to civil, criminal, contract and constitutional law. When I was served by the other side I used discovery and pre trail motions to buy me time to learn and also get used to the court so instead of me showing up for trial I had 4 hearings before trial and the other side did not like it but my chances was much higher. You also have to understand for you to have a better chance in representing yourself you have to be prepared. You have to know your case in and out, you have to know what exhibit you are going to present, what type of objections the other side might raise, what type of cross examination questions to ask the other side etc. basically if someone wakes you up in the middle of the night you should be able to present the case.

[charlesmonroe]

Very good advice. I am a former jailhouse lawyer, and went to paralegal school on the outside as well. Actual law library is better than the internet. The law libraries not only have rule books, statutory books, case books, and sample forms, ; they also have Shepard's (for updating your cases), volumes on State and Federal Practices and Procedures, and some law libraries have the West's Key Digest. These are the tools of legal research.

[jacobcavender]

Thank you for giving advice to the general public! My grandfather suffered multiple strokes and was also being abused by a live in partner. He doesn't have the money for a lawyer and was having trouble with his insurance, emergency guardianship is what got me started, followed by conservatorship, restraining order, starting divorce proceedings as they are considered "common law". it has been a LOT of work and I have garnered a new respect for law and its proceedings! Without the help of individuals like yourself navigating these waters would have been next to impossible and an embarrassing waste of time. Thank you

[jonathansmith]

Attorney. Moore does an excellent job in explaining four keys that a pro se litigant should know and implement prior to a trial, particularly setting in on trials similar to his or her own case. I really benefitted from watching Attorney Moore's video.

[jordanjames]

I've had 3 different lawyers from 3 different law firms. Yes I learned some great things from them but ultimately they became disinterested and started to drop the ball as in not submitting the evidence before a hearing despite me giving it to them.

[RealTalk]

I do research and draft documents so if anyone need help. Reach out dont let your case be dismissed because they will try to say its baseless upon law or fact.

[JoshuaHorvath]

Thank you for sharing, this has been the most thorough and helpful video I have found so far.

[JPeck-krkm]

Very clear, better than the others I've watched. Thank you

[freshjive]

You explained everything I’ve loss sleep about thank you!

[pocahontas]

I found some advocacy groups for domestic abuse in my state that offer free calls with attorneys and it’s been extremely helpful for me. They even sit on the phone and walk me through what forms to fill out and how, how to word things on motions I’m filing, etc. I know there are also paid legal lines I’ve been referred to but I think they’re basically the same thing and cost like $20 per 30 minute call. My issue is going to be the actual in court/public speaking to the judge without someone else representing me.

[jamesdemery]

I received discoveries and financial papers, I got my attorney everything she needed in march, she never did anything with it and withdrew in July, apparently she sent the answers back for only a portion, not my financials and I have trial October 20th

[amalali]

Hi from London, UK. This is very sage advice which in principal applicable here too. I'm still going through it but having sat on hearings as its possible for members of the public to observe, I've seen a few times where a misunderstanding of the CPR rules or not being fully prepared for every eventuality has unravelled someone's case to their detriment. On the other hand it helped demystify the daunting prospector being in court. Lawyers who can navigate this are key but where money is tight, doing all the leg work required and handing over the more complicated elements in preparation for the trial to a professional can be a way forward and is so far working. Finding a good fit advocate who's candid and realistic is also key to minis the stress and may make or break your case.

[elpllc]

The reason to not hire attorney is that they do nothing but take your money. They do not represent you with any conviction. They only want your money. At the end of the day, the result is the same whether or not you have an attorney representing you. I’ve had the misfortune of hiring attorneys that did not represent me appropriately. Everything is about a plea and the case is resolved. Game over. Next case

[ThePro-Se]

This is helpful. Thanks for putting it together.

[abovethenoise]

Thank you counselor. I'm a Pro Se litigant defending my 76 yo disabled father who has traumatic brain injury from Vietnam 100% rating. I know the red tape and bureaucracy serve to dissuade vexious litigants, but I worry that if they allowed him to be financially abused, deprived of commute, and Criminal harrassment by theft of 2 vehicles. I wouldn't call it misappropriation. We had unlawful rate hikes, no landlord or landlord agent, and so much more. I really need direction... Im losing hope. He lacks capacity, 100% honorable Diwali Veteran (supposedly federally protected)but the man did none any harm, he was a victim of police abuse when i was a child, and had to have me taken as a fake harassment call revealed a misdemeanor warrant. A traffic warrant and as his son, his chosen caretaker, had to leave by ambulance, and was broken emotions with new injuries. Who is suppose to be the first line of defense to "at risk" Elders who lack capacity and mentally traumatized. (Along with his suffering, his son was taken because of his landlord. Cops killed his oldest in 2017, and you can imagine what seeing cops grab me like that did to him. You would swear I robbed a bank or something, and it took 3 days for arraignment, and $1, 400.00 paid on a $500.00 bond. I don't beg, but for my father, for a comrade, for the honorably discharged medic and I'm begging for someone to just give a shit. L

[charlesbikas]

This is a truly great video. Thank you :)