Legal

Do I Need an Attorney?
Can the Court Staff Help If I Don't Have an Attorney?
How Do I Find an Attorney?
What Do I Take to My Attorney?
What Do I Ask an Attorney?
What If I Have Problems With an Attorney?
Information on Restraining Orders
Divorce Workshop

Can the Court Staff Help If I
Don't Have an Attorney?

While you have the right to represent yourself in court, you should not expect special treatment, help or assistance from the court or it's staff. The following is a list of things that the court staff can and cannot do for you:

The court staff can:

• Explain and answer questions about how the court works.
• Tell you what the requirements are to have your case considered by the court.
• Give you some information from your case file.
• Provide you with samples of court forms that are available.
• Provide you with guidance on how to fill out forms.
• Usually answer questions about court deadlines.

The court staff cannot:

• Give you legal advice. (Only a lawyer can give you legal advice).
• Tell you whether or not you should bring your case to court.
• Give you an opinion about what will happen if you bring your case to court.
• Recommend a lawyer.
• Talk to the judge for you about what will happen in your case.
• Let you talk to the judge outside of court.
• Change an order issued by a judge.