Legal issues- representing yourself in court?

[bjcsc]

Representing yourself in a case of any magnitude would be suicide. Judges were all practicing lawyers, and if you don't pay into the circle and keep it all going they'll pound you. As was said, if you think logic applies to any of it - it doesn't. If you think that it will be fair - it won't. If you think that people, even public figures, won't lie on the stand - they absolutely will and the judge will tolerate it. I've seen it with my own eyes. And as far as appealing, what would you appeal on? You're unlikely to know of any reasons, and even more unlikely to have gotten any of them on the record and contrary to popular belief, you can't appeal simply because you don't like the verdict. Wait until you see how much appealing to higher courts costs. Depending on the record, you can easily hit $10,000+ in copy fees alone just to file it.

You are far better off spending the dollars upfront on an attorney and filing a countersuit. Then you can have a meeting, bang out a resolution, and stay out of the courtrooms...

 

[NewToy]

We have become an overly litigous society in the last 20 years or so. While convalescing from neck surgery I found myself watching those inane "judge" shows on TV. Just about every commercial slot had some shyster asking if you have been hurt, know someone that has been hurt, thinking you might be hurt, etc, etc. I can see how the lazy, no working people that lay around all day and watch this tripe can get dollar signs floating around them quick. Just look at any phonebook and most of the time it's some law firm taking full page ad's on the inside and back cover.
You may be better off consulting a plastic surgeon for your dog. Take your idiot neighbor with you and pick a new look for the dog with him. This will give him a bit of involvement and let him know you are concerned and trying to be a good neighbor.

John

 

[KYErik]

I suppose that everyone is in agreement. There is no sense even considering representing yourself in court, no matter how frivolous the case is.

My first thought was that its like overhauling an engine- you don't have to be a mechanic or go to school to do it, just take your time and do some research and you can get through it OK.

But that's a good point that the judge was originally a lawyer, so he/she wouldn't give you any breaks and wouldn't mind to see you sink right away to get your case over with and get on to the next case on the long list.

A better analogy would be that its like overhauling an engine and every night when you go to bed, take a potty break etc., someone else sneaks in and takes off a part or sabatoges your work and then you never know what they did to it or what you did wrong until you go to start the motor for the first time and it blows up (at the end of the trial)

 

[EddieWalker]

...While convalescing from neck surgery I found myself watching those inane "judge" shows on TV...

A guy that I used to work with was on one of those TV Court shows. I forget which one since it was about 7 years ago. His ex wife owed him a couple grand and he took her to small claims court. The show contacted him and told him that if he went on the show, they would pay him the amount owed regardless of the outcome. It was a win-win for him since his ex was never gonna pay it anyway.

He won his case and the TV show paid him what his ex wifed owed him.

Eddie

 

[ultrarunner]

A good friend of mine owns/manages a lot of rental property in the SF Bay Area and from time to time he is sued in small claims court.

In CA, lawyers are not allowed to represent you in Small Claims, so a person has to represent themselves.

Also, the person being sued in small claims always has the right to appeal...

I think it all depends on the stakes involved and knowing your options should things not go your way.

 

[toolsorbust]

It would be cheaper to just shoot the dog. LOL

 

[Defective]

I'd rather shoot the neighbour...

 

[MACDABS]

I have represented myself once never again .I had a lawyer represent me once lost, fired him filed appeal hired another attorney and won! Now the guy laughs said I was right and uses my lawyer . So a good attorney is noticed.


I hate to ask,but can we see a pic of the dog? Just curious.
Macdabs

 

[tallyho8]

I hate to ask,but can we see a pic of the dog? Just curious. Macdabs

I wonder if this is him?

 

[john_bud]

I'd rather shoot the neighbour...

With what? I thought all you Canadians gave up your guns?

jb