"Pro se" is a Latin term meaning "for oneself". Pro se litigants are people who represent themselves in court, both in criminal and civil proceedings, and both as plaintiff and defendant. Of course, we commonly see this on television programs such as Judge Judy and Judge Hatchett. But there are people all over the country who represent themselves in court. In fact, over 25% of actions filed in the US Federal Court system in 2007 were from pro se litigants. Pro se litigation is used for all sorts of cases. If you are charging an ex with stealing your money, or defending your rights in a divorce case, or defending yourself in a criminal trial, it is not required that you are represented by an attorney. It is an American right to be represented by an attorney if you are charged with a crime, however, it is still a choice. People choose to represent themselves for many reasons. Some people know enough about law to make a good case for themselves. Some don’t have the money to hire an attorney for disputes. Some court dates are small civil matters that don't really need the expertise of an attorney.
Whatever reason there is for not hiring an attorney, any pro se litigant must be sure to do research. Be as familiar as you can about county, state and federal laws. When going into court, always dress in appropriate professional attire. No one will take you seriously when you show up in jeans and flip-flops. And make sure you speak clearly, calmly, and without bad language. All these factors are going to make you appear more educated and prepared in court—i.e., you will be taken more seriously.
Another good idea is to hire a legal consulting firm. These are usually run by lawyers, but they are attorneys who, while experienced, are more concerned with helping you learn how to represent yourself. From California's San Francisco to New York's Brooklyn, legal services are there to help you through this complicated process.
