Deciding whether to represent yourself in court is an important decision that should not be made lightly. That being said, with some exceptions, self-represented parties (“pro se” or “pro per” parties) CAN effectively represent themselves in court without an attorney.

In this episode, I discuss the following factors to evaluate when making the critical decision of whether to represent yourself in court without an attorney:

• How complicated is your case?
• Where is your case venued (state vs. federal court)?
• How is your case worth?
• Can you devote the necessary time to your case?
• Can you handle the pressure (e.g., deadlines)?

I also discuss a few types of cases where you should think twice (or three or four times) before deciding to represent yourself, and why you should NEVER represent yourself in a CRIMINAL case.

Want to learn more? Check out Justice Navigator: The Ultimate Video Litigation Tutorial for video tutorials, sample litigation materials, and resources to help you represent yourself in court.

Remember: Every jurisdiction has its own laws and court rules. Make sure you read, understand, and comply with the laws and court rules in your jurisdiction.