{"id":368995,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/going-to-court\/jury-trials-representing-yourself.html"},"modified":"2024-05-22T07:03:27","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T12:03:27","slug":"jury-trials-representing-yourself","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/jury-trials-representing-yourself.html","title":{"rendered":"Jury Trials: Representing Yourself"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Jury Trials: Representing Yourself<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Parties have the right to a jury trial in almost every court case. If you want to represent yourself<\/a> in court, you can still present your case before a jury. Whether you should represent yourself is another matter. Jury trials require a greater knowledge of court procedures and processes than a bench trial.<\/p>\r\n

Jury trials have a level of difficulty and formality not often present in a bench trial. While there are self-help centers to help prepare non-lawyers for a court hearing, handling a case in court can be daunting. Every jurisdiction is different, but understanding the basic procedures helps eliminate some of the mystery.<\/p>\r\n

Cases Eligible for Jury Trial<\/h2>\r\n

Jury trials are not available in every case<\/a>. Trials involving child custody, child support, or juvenile delinquency are ineligible for a jury trial. Most jurisdictions allow jury trials for civil cases involving monetary damages, such as personal injury, malpractice, or breach of contract claims.<\/p>\r\n

Self-represented litigants may need legal advice if they have:<\/p>\r\n