{"id":369000,"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\/should-you-represent-yourself-in-court.html"},"modified":"2024-04-08T13:50:54","modified_gmt":"2024-04-08T18:50:54","slug":"should-you-represent-yourself-in-court","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/should-you-represent-yourself-in-court.html","title":{"rendered":"Should You Represent Yourself in Court?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Should You Represent Yourself in Court?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, 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

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\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

Whether you should represent yourself in a court case is a multi-faceted question. Whether you have a civil or criminal case<\/a>, two primary considerations include whether you can afford an attorney and the potential consequences you face if you lose your case.<\/p>\r\n

If the government has charged you with a crime and you face potential jail time, you should contact a criminal defense attorney<\/a> near you. If you cannot afford an attorney, you can ask the court to appoint you one<\/a>, free of charge. Obtaining legal representation when your freedom is on the line gives you the best chance of prevailing in your case.<\/p>\r\n

In a civil case, where you aren’t facing potential incarceration from a criminal case, you may consider representing yourself. If you have time management and negotiation skills, as well as confidence in your research and writing abilities, you may prevail without an attorney.<\/p>\r\n

This article answers frequently asked questions (FAQ) that non-lawyers representing themselves in a civil case may have. Even if you decide not to hire an attorney in your civil lawsuit, consider contacting one<\/a> to discuss your case. Most attorneys provide free consultations to discuss a case, and this initial discussion can give you a general assessment of your case’s strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>\r\n

When should I represent myself, and when should I hire an attorney?<\/h3>\r\n

There is no way to provide a blanket statement about when you should represent yourself versus when you should hire an attorney. Every case is different, and the calculus for hiring legal representation or going it alone differs in every situation. Some general guidelines and considerations may help you decide which option is best for you.<\/p>\r\n

In no particular order, consider the following factors as you decide whether or not to hire an attorney:<\/p>\r\n