How will I know when to be in court and what do I have to prepare?

Preparing the upcoming court date depends on what type of case you have. In this section we give you general guidelines for how to best prepare yourself for court. It is possible that you will see something that does not apply to your case. For example, if you have a divorce case, you can ignore the suggestions about preparing to pick a jury. If you have a small claims case, you do not have to worry about the rules of evidence. So keep in mind that these are general suggestions and may not apply to every case.

Most courts will send you a scheduling order if your case involves a trial or a notice of hearing if your case involves a hearing. Read this important document carefully. It will tell you when you need to be in court and what you must file before the trial or hearing. If you decide to come to court without a lawyer, the judge who hears your case will expect you to follow court procedures and be as prepared as you can be when you arrive at your hearing. The staff in the Clerk’s office will be happy to help you but they are limited in what they can and cannot do. Please remember that the court staff must remain impartial. They give the same information to both sides to a case.

Tips to do before Your Court Schedule

• Read your court papers. Understand what each form asks and how the other side has responded.
• Make a list of your reasons for each request. Write down the answers the other side gives to each request.
• Observe hearings ahead of time, if you can, in front of the same judge or for the same type of case as yours. Watch lawyers and how they act in the courtroom, how they speak to the judge, how they ask questions, etc.
• Research any remaining legal issues in your case.
• Review all discovery (if there has been any).
• If you are going to have a jury trial, make sure you understand the rules for selecting a jury. Prepare the questions you want to ask prospective jurors.
• For a formal trial, outline your opening statement.
• Prepare all your evidence.

So then ask how can Specialized Investigations can help you? Their qualified investigators can help you win your court case and avoid costly appeals.

There are some resources that may also be useful to know more about Legal Support.