Step-by-Step Guide to Pro Se Representation

Tackling the legal world solo? Our self-litigation guide has you covered.

Embarking on a legal journey without a lawyer might feel a bit like sailing uncharted waters without a compass. The legal world is filled with complex jargon and intricate procedures, capable of overwhelming even the sharpest minds. 

But fear not. We’ve created this guide to help you navigate the pro se waters. It’s designed to arm you with the essential knowledge and practical tools necessary to chart your own legal course confidently and effectively.

What does pro se mean?

Pro se is a Latin term meaning “for oneself” or “on one’s own behalf.” The term refers to the act of representing oneself in court without the aid of an attorney. 

The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution secures a criminal defendant’s right to counsel. The Supreme Court in Faretta v. California (1975) ruled that this amendment implies that defendants have a constitutional right to proceed without counsel if they choose to do so voluntarily and intelligently. 

In civil cases, the right to represent oneself stems from a combination of statutory law, court rules, and the common law tradition. The principles allowing for self-representation are rooted in the broader concepts of legal autonomy and access to justice.

Benefits and drawbacks of pro se representation

Representing yourself comes with certain advantages, such as cost savings and personal involvement, but it also comes with substantial risks, including the lack of legal expertise and the potential for procedural mistakes. Weighing these benefits and drawbacks is important for anyone considering the pro se route.

Benefits and drawbacks of pro se representation
Benefits of representing yourself	Drawbacks of representing yourself
Cost savings: The greatest benefit of pro se representation is the potential for significant cost savings. Personal involvement: When you represent yourself, you have direct control over all aspects of your case. Flexibility and learning opportunity: Representing yourself offers a unique opportunity to learn about the legal system firsthand. It allows for greater flexibility in managing your case, as you’re not reliant on the availability of an attorney.	Lack of legal expertise: The greatest drawback of representing yourself is the lack of professional legal expertise. Attorneys are trained to understand complex legal theories, procedures, and jargon, which can be challenging for a layperson to grasp fully. Emotional involvement: Representing yourself requires a tremendous amount of emotional involvement. This can lead to stress and might impact your ability to remain objective and make sound decisions. Risk of procedural errors: The legal system demands strict compliance with complex procedures. A missed deadline or procedural error can lead to your case being dismissed. Time-consuming: Representing yourself requires a significant time investment. The research, preparation, and act of attending court appearances can be incredibly time-consuming. Limited court assistance: Don’t expect a lot of leeway as a pro se litigant. Courts cannot offer legal advice or change their procedures to accommodate you.

The merits of resolving your case outside of the courtroom

Before taking the leap into court proceedings, consider the benefit of resolving your dispute outside of the courtroom. Sometimes, this can be as simple as having a respectful discussion with the person or entity you’re planning to sue. 

If a conversation doesn’t do the trick, you might consider mediation, arbitration, or some other alternative that’s less costly and time consuming than court proceedings. 

What is mediation?

Mediation is a voluntary process in which both parties agree to bring in a neutral third party to oversee the proceedings and help the parties involved work out an agreement. The mediator does not make decisions but facilitates discussion and guides the parties toward a mutually acceptable agreement. Mediators are often lawyers or retired judges.

Preparing for mediation	During mediation
Research mediators: Look for mediators experienced in your type of dispute. Many local courts and state bar associations provide lists of qualified mediators. Understand your goals: Before going into mediation, clearly define your goals and what you’re willing to compromise on. Gather documentation: Organize all relevant documents and evidence that support your position.	Stay open-minded: Be willing to listen to the other party’s perspective and consider creative solutions. Communicate clearly: Articulate your points calmly and clearly, avoiding legal jargon. Keep notes: Document key points, agreements, and areas of disagreement.

What is arbitration? 

Arbitration is similar to mediation in many ways. It is still a means to reach a settlement outside of the courts; however, the decision made by an arbitrator is usually binding.

If you choose to go the arbitration route, the arbitrator (sometimes a panel of arbitrators) will review the evidence presented by both parties and come to a decision on how they feel compensation should be awarded.

Arbitrators are like judges but have fewer restrictions than judges when it comes to making a decision and viewing evidence. For this reason, arbitration is a cheaper and less formal option to a courtroom but is typically more formal than mediation.

Preparing for arbitration

During arbitration

Select an arbitrator: Research and agree upon an arbitrator with expertise in the area of dispute. Arbitration services can provide a list of arbitrators. Understand the process: Familiarize yourself with the arbitration rules, which will vary depending on the arbitrator used. Compile evidence: Gather all necessary documents, witness statements, and other evidence. Prepare your case: Develop a concise presentation of your case, including an opening statement, presentation of evidence, and a closing argument.

Present clearly: Articulate your points in a structured manner, focusing on facts and evidence. Respond appropriately: Be prepared to answer questions and respond to the other party’s arguments.

Other alternatives to the courtroom

In addition to mediation and arbitration, there are organizations and resources that may be able to help you settle your dispute for free or at a low cost.

Here are some common options:

• Legal aid organization: Legal aid organizations provide free legal assistance to those who cannot afford it. They can offer advice, representation, and sometimes mediation services for a variety of legal issues. 
• Community dispute-resolution programs: Many communities have local dispute resolution centers that offer free or low-cost services. These centers often handle a wide range of issues, including neighbor disputes and landlord-tenant conflicts. 
• State bar associations: Local or state bar associations often have lawyer referral services, which can include options for free or reduced-cost consultations. Some bar associations also offer dispute resolution programs. 
• University law clinics: Law schools often run clinics where law students provide legal services under the supervision of experienced attorneys. 
• Online dispute resolution services: There are online platforms that offer dispute resolution services, often at a lower cost than in-person mediation or arbitration. 
• Government agencies: Depending on the nature of the dispute, a relevant government agency might offer resolution services. For example, consumer protection agencies can assist with disputes involving consumer goods or services, and labor departments can help with employment-related issues. 
• Religious or community leaders: In some cases, parties in a dispute might seek out mediation or counseling from respected religious or community leaders, who can provide impartial guidance and help facilitate a resolution.

Choosing the right court

In pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, choosing the right court is not just important—it’s absolutely essential to avoid seeing your case get dismissed.  

Each case is different, but here is a general look at the courts in which you might file your lawsuit:

• Small claims court: Small claims courts are designed for small disputes, typically involving a limited amount of money (usually up to $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on the state). The main benefit of small claims court is that it offers a straightforward process with less formal rules and lower filing fees. In most cases, participants in small claims courts are not represented by lawyers. 
• State courts: State courts handle a wide range of civil cases, including most personal injury lawsuits where the amount in dispute is greater than the small claims court limitation. State courts are considerably more formal than small claims courts. There are strict procedures and rules of evidence that must be followed. 
• Federal courts: Federal courts are not the usual venue for personal injury cases unless specific criteria are met, such as in cases involving federal law or disputes between citizens of different states where the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.

Preparing and proving your case

Lawyers are trained to gather evidence, conduct legal research, and present a compelling argument. As a pro se litigant, these responsibilities fall on your shoulders.

Gathering evidence as a pro se litigant

Gathering evidence without the expertise and resources available to lawyers may seem daunting, but there are practical tools and strategies that can help level the playing field. The key lies in being thorough and resourceful. Here’s how to get started:

• Collecting documentation: Begin by assembling all documents related to your injury. This should include medical reports, hospital bills, photographs of the injury, and any correspondence with insurance companies. 
• Eyewitness accounts: Witnesses can provide important, objective accounts of the incident. Gather their contact information and, if possible, secure written statements from all witnesses who can support your case. 
• Official reports: In cases like car accidents or workplace accidents, official reports (such as police reports) are usually filed. Obtaining a copy of these reports is essential, as they offer an authoritative perspective on the event. 
• Evidence of damages: Documenting the financial repercussions of your injury is necessary, as you’ll need to support your claim for damages with tangible evidence.

Conducting legal research as a pro se litigant

Attorneys typically have access to expensive legal research software, as well as teams of associates and assistants to aid in their research. As someone representing yourself, you can still conduct thorough legal research with a bit more effort and without incurring significant costs. Here are some options:

Applying evidence in court

As a pro se litigant, a critical step in preparing for your court appearance is understanding how to effectively present your evidence. It's important to note that each court operates with its own specific set of rules and expectations regarding evidence presentation. Therefore, familiarizing yourself with these rules, particularly the rules of procedure and evidence, is essential. Failing to adhere to these rules can result in your evidence being disallowed or not given due consideration, which can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Below is a general overview:

Pursuing judgments

If the court rules in your favor, the resulting judgment will specify the relief or compensation awarded. However, the court’s role ends with the issuance of the judgment; it’s up to you to enforce it. This may involve initiating collection proceedings if the judgment involves a monetary award. Understanding the post-judgment process is as crucial as the preceding steps, as it ultimately determines the realization of the court's decision.

Frequently asked questions for pro se litigants

Here are some additional resources that may help you represent yourself:

8 basic steps to every personal injury lawsuit

Understanding the most common motions in personal injury cases

What is discovery & how does it impact your personal injury case?

Common law vs. civil law: how laws are made in the courts

Is there a time limit for personal injury compensation claims? (statute of limitations)

Jurisdiction: Accidents that involve multiple states

Settle out of court with a payment demand letter

What is the Burden of Proof in a personal injury case?