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Represent Yourself in Civil Court How to Prepare and Try a Winning Case
1 GOING IT ALONE IN COURT
A. The Scope of This Book .............................................................................. 1/3
B. Can You Really Represent Yourself? .......................................................... 1/4
C. Coping With Being a Stranger in a Strange Land ..................................... 1/5
D. Finding a Legal Coach.................................................................................. 1/6
E. How to Use This Book ................................................................................ 1/8
F. Try to Settle Your Case ............................................................................. 1/11
2 THE COURTHOUSE AND THE COURTROOM
A. An Overview of Different Courts ............................................................... 2/3
B. A Typical Courthouse ................................................................................. 2/4
C. The Courtroom Players ............................................................................... 2/7
D. The Courtroom and Its Physical Layout .................................................. 2/13
E. Courtroom Rules, Customs and Etiquette .............................................. 2/16
3 STARTING YOUR CASE
A. Do You Have a Good Case? ........................................................................ 3/3
B. Is Your Lawsuit Timely? .............................................................................. 3/5
C. Which Court Has Power to Hear a Case (Jurisdiction)? .......................... 3/8
D. How a Lawsuit Begins ............................................................................... 3/17
4 OVERVIEW OF PRETRIAL PROCEDURES
A. Know and Follow Pretrial Deadlines ......................................................... 4/2
B. Pretrial Conferences .................................................................................... 4/3
C. Court-Ordered Mediation and Arbitration ............................................... 4/3
D. Initial Pretrial Procedures: Setting Ground Rules .................................... 4/4
E. Intermediate Pretrial Procedures: Discovery and Motions ...................... 4/9
F. Final Pretrial Procedures: Trial Preparation ........................................... 4/11
5 INVESTIGATING YOUR CASE
A. Informal Investigation ............................................................................... 5/2
B. Formal Discovery ........................................................................................ 5/8
C. Depositions ................................................................................................ 5/12
D. Written Interrogatories ............................................................................. 5/26
E. Requests for Production of Documents and Subpoenas ........................ 5/31
F. Requests for Admissions ........................................................................... 5/34
6 SETTLEMENT
A. Court-Ordered Mediation .......................................................................... 6/4
B. Court-Ordered Arbitration......................................................................... 6/8
C. Offers of Judgment ...................................................................................... 6/9
D. Pretrial Settlement Conferences ............................................................... 6/10
E. Post-Settlement Documents ..................................................................... 6/12
7 PRETRIAL MOTIONS
A. An Overview of Pretrial Motion Practice .................................................. 7/2
B. Is a Motion Necessary? ................................................................................ 7/6
C. What Goes Into a Motion ........................................................................... 7/6
D. Scheduling a Court Hearing on a Pretrial Motion .................................... 7/8
E. Serving and Filing Your Documents .......................................................... 7/9
F. Court Hearings on Motions ....................................................................... 7/9
G. Common Pretrial Motions ....................................................................... 7/11
8 WHAT YOU NEED TO PROVE AT TRIAL:
THE PLAINTIFF’S PERSPECTIVE
A. The Elements of a Legal Claim ................................................................... 8/2
B. How to Find the Elements of Your Claim ................................................. 8/4
C. Proving Each Element ................................................................................. 8/4
D. Your Burden of Proof.................................................................................. 8/6
E. How to Identify Facts Proving the Elements of Your Claim .................... 8/7
F. Looking Ahead to Trial: Organizing Your Evidence ............................... 8/12
G. Learning About Your Adversary’s Case ................................................... 8/14
9 WHAT YOU NEED TO PROVE AT TRIAL:
THE DEFENDANT’S PERSPECTIVE
A. Identifying the Elements of the Plaintiff’s Legal Claim ............................ 9/3
B. Identifying the Plaintiff’s Facts ................................................................... 9/3
C. Defeating Any One Element of a Claim ..................................................... 9/5
D. Disproving the Plaintiff’s Facts by Impeaching Witnesses ....................... 9/6
E. Proving Your Version of Events ................................................................. 9/7
F. Putting the Defense Strategies Together .................................................... 9/8
10 SELECTING THE DECISIONMAKER
A. Are You Eligible for a Jury Trial? .............................................................. 10/2
B. Are You Better Off With a Judge Trial or a Jury Trial? ........................... 10/2
C. Your Opponent’s Right to Choose a Jury ................................................ 10/3
D. Disqualifying a Judge ................................................................................ 10/3
E. Making a Timely Jury Trial Request ........................................................ 10/5
F. How the Jury Selection Process Works .................................................... 10/6
G. Your Right to Challenge Jurors ................................................................ 10/8
H. What Jurors Should You Challenge? ...................................................... 10/11
I. What to Ask Prospective Jurors .............................................................. 10/12
J. Alternate Jurors ....................................................................................... 10/16
11 OPENING STATEMENT
A. Should You Make an Opening Statement? .............................................. 11/2
B. When to Make Your Opening Statement ................................................ 11/3
C. How to Put Together Your Opening Statement ..................................... 11/5
D. What Not to Say During Opening Statement ......................................... 11/7
E. Tips for Rehearsing and Presenting Your Opening Statement ............ 11/10
F. Sample Opening Statement .................................................................... 11/12
G. Sample Outline for Your Trial Notebook .............................................. 11/13
12 DIRECT EXAMINATION
A. Direct Examination as Storytelling .......................................................... 12/2
B. Overview of Direct Examination Procedures .......................................... 12/3
C. Preparing for Direct Examination ............................................................ 12/4
D. Presenting Your Own Testimony on Direct Examination ..................... 12/9
E. How to Question Witnesses.................................................................... 12/10
F. Hostile Witnesses ..................................................................................... 12/22
G. The Judge’s Role ...................................................................................... 12/23
H. A Sample Direct Examination ................................................................ 12/24
13 CROSS-EXAMINATION
A. An Overview of Cross-Examination ........................................................ 13/2
B. Should You Cross-Examine? .................................................................... 13/4
C. How to Ask Questions on Cross-Examination ....................................... 13/5
D. Eliciting Helpful Evidence ........................................................................ 13/7
E. Impeaching Adverse Witnesses .............................................................. 13/10
F. Base Questions on Evidence You Can Offer.......................................... 13/18
G. If One of Your Witnesses Is Impeached ................................................ 13/19
H. Preparing for Cross-Examination .......................................................... 13/20
14 CLOSING ARGUMENT
A. When You Deliver Closing Argument ..................................................... 14/2
B. Prepare and Rehearse Your Closing Argument before Trial .................. 14/2
C. How to Put Together a Closing Argument .............................................. 14/3
D. What Not to Do in Closing Argument .................................................. 14/12
E. Rebuttal Argument .................................................................................. 14/13
F. Objections During Closing ..................................................................... 14/14
G. Sample Closing Argument and Outline ................................................. 14/14
15 EXHIBITS
A. Admitting Exhibits Into Evidence: An Overview .................................... 15/2
B. Step 1: Mark Your Exhibits and Show Them to Your Adversary .......... 15/4
C. Step 2: Identify (Authenticate) Your Exhibits ......................................... 15/5
D. Step 3: Lay a Foundation........................................................................... 15/6
E. Letting Jurors See Your Exhibits ............................................................ 15/18
F. When Exhibits Are Required: The Best Evidence Rule......................... 15/19
G. Objecting to Your Adversary’s Exhibits ................................................. 15/20
H. Organizing Exhibits for Trial .................................................................. 15/22
16 BASIC RULES OF EVIDENCE
A. Relevance .................................................................................................... 16/2
B. Excluding Relevant but Unfairly Prejudicial Evidence ........................... 16/5
C. The Rule Against Opinions ....................................................................... 16/6
D. The Rule Against Character Evidence ...................................................... 16/8
E. Hearsay ..................................................................................................... 16/10
17 MAKING AND RESPONDING TO OBJECTIONS
A. Objections: An Overview .......................................................................... 17/2
B. Objections Made Before Trial: Motions In Limine ................................. 17/3
C. How to Make Objections During Trial .................................................... 17/4
D. How to Respond to Your Adversary’s Objections .................................. 17/9
E. Checklist of Common Objections .......................................................... 17/12
18 ORGANIZING A TRIAL NOTEBOOK
A. Setting Up Your Notebook ....................................................................... 18/2
B. Index Tab 1: Legal Pleadings .................................................................... 18/2
C. Index Tab 2: Discovery Materials ............................................................. 18/3
D. Index Tab 3: Legal Claim Outline ............................................................ 18/4
E. Index Tab 4: Opening Statement Outline................................................ 18/4
F. Index Tab 5: Direct Examination Outlines.............................................. 18/4
G. Index Tab 6: Cross-Examination Outlines .............................................. 18/5
H. Index Tab 7: Closing Argument Outline ................................................. 18/6
I. Index Tab 8: Jury Trial Documents ......................................................... 18/6
J. Index Tab 9: Miscellaneous Documents .................................................. 18/6
19 EXPERT WITNESSES
A. Who Are Expert Witnesses? ...................................................................... 19/2
B. Do You Need an Expert Witness? ............................................................ 19/2
C. Special Rules for Expert Witnesses ........................................................... 19/4
D. Finding and Hiring an Expert Witness .................................................... 19/7
E. Questioning Your Expert Witness at Trial ............................................ 19/11
F. Cross-Examining Your Opponent’s Expert Witness ............................ 19/17
20 WHEN YOUR TRIAL ENDS: JUDGMENTS & APPEALS
A. How Final Decisions Are Made at the End of Trial ................................ 20/3
B. Requesting a New Trial or Change in the Verdict .................................. 20/5
C. Appeals ....................................................................................................... 20/7
D. Collecting and Paying Judgments .......................................................... 20/11
21 REPRESENTING YOURSELF IN DIVORCE COURT
A. Formulate a Divorce Game Plan .............................................................. 21/4
B. The Basics of Family Law Explained ...................................................... 21/13
C. Filing for Divorce .................................................................................... 21/21
D. How Uncontested Divorces Work ......................................................... 21/24
E. What Happens in a Contested Divorce ................................................. 21/28
F. Modification of Support, Custody and Visitation ................................ 21/34
22 REPRESENT YOURSELF IN BANKRUPTCY COURT
A. An Overview of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy .................................................... 22/5
B. The Meeting of Creditors (341(A) Hearing) ........................................... 22/8
C. The Automatic Stay ................................................................................. 22/12
D. Objections to Exemptions....................................................................... 22/17
E. Objections to the Discharge of Debts .................................................... 22/20
F. Reaffirming a Debt .................................................................................. 22/25
G. Help Beyond This Book .......................................................................... 22/29
23 GETTING HELP FROM ATTORNEYS: HIRING A LEGAL COACH
A. Why Consult a Lawyer? ............................................................................. 23/2
B. How to Find and Select a Qualified Legal Coach .................................... 23/6
C. Keeping Lawyer Bills Down .................................................................... 23/11
24 LEGAL RESEARCH
A. What You May Want to Research ............................................................ 24/2
B. Sources of Information ............................................................................. 24/5
C. Resolving Legal Research Problems ....................................................... 24/16
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The Criminal Law Handbook Know Your Rights, Survive the System
Table of Contents
Introduction
Section I: How Can This Book Help You? .............................................................. I/2
Section II: A Walk-Through of the Case of State v. Andrea Davidson,
a Fictional Robbery Prosecution ............................................................. I/7
1: Talking to the Police
Section I: Police Questioning of People Who Haven’t Been
Taken Into Custody ............................................................................... 1/3
Section II: Police Questioning of Arrestees .......................................................... 1/10
2: Search and Seizure: When the Police Can Search
for and Seize Evidence
Section I: The Constitutional Background ............................................................. 2/5
Section II: Search Warrants .................................................................................. 2/10
Section III: Warrantless and Consent Searches ...................................................... 2/14
Section IV: Warrantless Searches and the Plain View Doctrine .............................. 2/18
Section V: Warrantless Searches That Are Incident to Arrest ................................. 2/20
Section VI: “Stop and Frisk” Searches .................................................................... 2/22
Section VII: Searches of Car and Occupants........................................................... 2/24
Section VIII: Warrantless Searches Under Emergency (Exigent) Circumstances ........ 2/28
Section IX: Miscellaneous Warrantless Searches ................................................... 2/29
3: Arrest: When It Happens, What It Means
Section I: General Arrest Principles ...................................................................... 3/3
Section II: Arrest Warrants ..................................................................................... 3/8
Section III: Warrantless Arrests ................................................................................ 3/9
Section IV: Use of Force When Making Arrests .................................................... 3/11
Section V: Citizens’ Arrests .................................................................................. 3/14
4: Police Procedures to Help Eyewitnesses Identify Suspects
Section I: An Overview of Eyewitness Identification Procedures ........................... 4/3
Section II: Lineups ................................................................................................. 4/7
Section III: Showups ............................................................................................. 4/18
Section IV: Photo IDs ............................................................................................ 4/19
Section V: Motions to Suppress Identifications ..................................................... 4/21
5: Booking and Bail: Checking In and Checking Out of Jail
Section I: The Booking Process ............................................................................. 5/3
Section II: Arranging for Bail .................................................................................. 5/6
Section III: Own Recognizance Release (Release O.R.) ......................................... 5/15
6: From Suspect to Defendant: How Crimes Get Charged
Section I: Crime and Criminal Cases ..................................................................... 6/3
Section II: To Charge or Not to Charge, That Is the Question .................................. 6/5
Section III: The Mechanics of Charging ................................................................. 6/13
Section IV: Grand Juries ........................................................................................ 6/16
Section V: Diversion ............................................................................................ 6/18
7: Criminal Defense Lawyers: Who They Are,
What They Do, How to Find One
Section I: Do I Need a Lawyer? ............................................................................ 7/3
Section II: Court-Appointed Attorneys ................................................................... 7/6
Section III: Private Defense Attorneys ................................................................... 7/13
Section IV: Self-Representation ............................................................................. 7/22
8: Understanding the Attorney-Client Relationship
in a Criminal Case
Section I: Confidentiality ...................................................................................... 8/3
Section II: Client-Centered Decision-Making ......................................................... 8/7
Section III: Lawyer-Client Communication ............................................................ 8/13
Section IV: Representing Guilty Defendants .......................................................... 8/14
Section V: Competent Clients .............................................................................. 8/16
9: A Walk Through Criminal Court
Section I: The Courthouse .................................................................................... 9/3
Section II: The Courtroom ...................................................................................... 9/4
Section III: The Courtroom Players .......................................................................... 9/7
Section IV: Courtroom Behavior ............................................................................ 9/13
10: Arraignments
Section I: Timing of Arraignments ....................................................................... 10/3
Section II: Self-Representation at Arraignment ....................................................10/11
11: Developing the Defense Strategy
Section I: Overview .............................................................................................11/3
Section II: How the Defendant’s Version of Events May Limit
Defense Strategies ................................................................................11/7
Section III: When Attorneys Ignore a Defendant’s Version of Events ..................... 11/11
Section IV: The Importance of Honesty in Developing a Defense Strategy ........... 11/13
12: Crimespeak: Understanding the Language of Criminal Laws
Section 1: Mens Rea ............................................................................................ 12/5
Section II: The Meaning of Frequently Used Legal Language................................ 12/8
Section III: Derivative Criminal Responsibility .................................................... 12/13
Section IV: Murder and Manslaughter ................................................................. 12/19
Section V: Rape ................................................................................................. 12/23
Section VI: Burglary ............................................................................................ 12/25
Section VII: Robbery ............................................................................................ 12/28
Section VIII: Theft ................................................................................................. 12/29
Section IX: Hate Crimes ...................................................................................... 12/33
Section X: The Patriot Act ................................................................................... 12/35
13: Defensespeak: Common Defenses to Criminal Charges
Section I: Prosecutor’s Failure to Prove Guilt ...................................................... 13/3
Section II: “Partial” Defenses ............................................................................... 13/6
Section III: Self-Defense ........................................................................................ 13/9
Section IV: Alibi .................................................................................................. 13/12
Section V: Insanity ............................................................................................. 13/13
Section VI: Intoxication (Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol) ..................... 13/17
Section VII: Entrapment ....................................................................................... 13/19
Section VIII: Jury Nullification ............................................................................... 13/20
14: Discovery: Exchanging Information With the Prosecution
Section I: Modern Discovery Policy .................................................................... 14/2
Section II: Discovery of Helpful Information ........................................................ 14/3
Section III: Discovery of Harmful Information ....................................................... 14/6
Section IV: Reciprocal Discovery .......................................................................... 14/9
15: Investigating the Facts
Section I: Interviewing Prosecution Witnesses .................................................... 15/2
Section II: Finding and Interviewing Defense Witnesses ....................................... 15/5
Section III: Other Investigation Tasks and Their Costs ........................................... 15/6
16: Preliminary Hearings
Section I: What Preliminary Hearings Are and When They Are Held ................... 16/2
Section II: Basic Rights During Preliminary Hearings ........................................... 16/7
Section III: Common Defense and Prosecution Strategies at the
Preliminary Hearing .......................................................................... 16/10
17: Fundamental Trial Rights of the Defense
Section I: The Defendant’s Right to Due Process of Law...................................... 17/3
Section II: The Prosecution’s Burden of Proof ....................................................... 17/5
Section III: The Defendant’s Right to Remain Silent ............................................... 17/8
Section IV: The Defendant’s Right to Confront Witnesses .................................... 17/11
Section V: The Defendant’s (and the Media’s) Right to a Public Trial ................... 17/13
Section VI: A Defendant’s Right to a Jury Trial ..................................................... 17/16
Section VII: A Defendant’s Right to Counsel ......................................................... 17/18
Section VIII: A Defendant’s Right to a Speedy Trial ................................................ 17/20
Section IX: The Defendant’s Right Not to Be Placed in Double Jeopardy ............. 17/22
18: Basic Evidence Rules in Criminal Trials
Section I: Overview ............................................................................................ 18/3
Section II: Rules Regulating the Content of Testimony .......................................... 18/7
Section III: Rules Regulating the Manner of Testimony ........................................ 18/19
Section IV: Scientific Evidence ............................................................................ 18/22
Section V: Privileged (Confidential) Information ................................................. 18/27
19: Motions and Their Role in Criminal Cases
Section I: The Basic Procedures .......................................................................... 19/3
Section II: Common Pretrial Motions ................................................................... 19/6
Section III: Motions During Trial ..........................................................................19/11
Section IV: Motions After Trial ............................................................................ 19/13
20: Plea Bargains: How Most Criminal Cases End
Section I: Plea Bargaining—The Basics ............................................................... 20/3
Section II: The Pros and Cons of Plea Bargains .................................................... 20/4
Section III: The Plea Bargaining Process ................................................................ 20/8
Section IV: The Strategy of Negotiating Plea Bargains ......................................... 20/13
21: The Trial Process
Section I: Summary of the Trial Process .............................................................. 21/4
Section II: Choosing a Judge or Jury Trial ............................................................. 21/5
Section III: Jury Voir Dire ...................................................................................... 21/7
Section IV: Motions in Limine ..............................................................................21/11
Section V: Opening Statements .......................................................................... 21/12
Section VI: Prosecution’s Case-in-Chief ............................................................... 21/14
Section VII: Direct Examination of Witnesses ....................................................... 21/15
Section VIII: Cross-Examination ............................................................................ 21/18
Section IX: Defense Motion to Dismiss ............................................................... 21/19
Section X: Defendant’s Case-in-Chief ................................................................. 21/19
Section XI: Closing Argument ............................................................................. 21/21
Section XII: Instructing the Jury ............................................................................ 21/23
Section XIII: Jury Deliberations and Verdict .......................................................... 21/25
22: Sentencing: How the Court Punishes Convicted Defendants
Section I: Overview of Sentencing ...................................................................... 22/4
Section II: Sentencing Procedures ...................................................................... 22/10
Section III: Sentence Options .............................................................................. 22/16
Section IV: The Death Penalty ............................................................................. 22/27
23: Appeals: Seeking Review by a Higher Court
Section I: Appeals ............................................................................................... 23/2
Section II: Writs ................................................................................................... 23/8
24: How the Criminal Justice System Works: A Walk Through
Two Drunk Driving Cases
Section I: Questions and Answers About DUI (Driving Under the Influence) ...... 24/2
Section II: DUI Case Examples ...........................................................................24/11
25: Juvenile Courts and Procedures
Section I: A Brief History of U.S. Juvenile Courts ................................................ 25/3
Section II: Juvenile Court Jurisdiction ................................................................... 25/4
Section III: Deciding Whether to File Charges ....................................................... 25/7
Section IV: The Right to Counsel and Other Constitutional Rights ....................... 25/10
Section V: Trying Juveniles As Adults ................................................................. 25/14
Section VI: Sentencing (Disposition) Options ...................................................... 25/18
Section VII: Sealing Juvenile Court Records .......................................................... 25/23
26: Prisoners’ Rights
Section I: Prisons and Prisoners’ Rights ............................................................... 26/3
Section II: Legal Resources for Prisoners and Their Families ............................... 26/13
Section III: Parole ................................................................................................ 26/17
Section IV: Pardons ............................................................................................. 26/19
27: Looking Up the Law
Section I: What to Research ................................................................................ 27/2
Section II: Where to Do Research ...................................................................... 27/14
Section III: Glossary ............................................................................................ 27/16
