In most cases, they can represent themselves. People who represent themselves are called “self-represented” or “pro se” (from Latin). Below are links to resources for users who want to learn more about the law and the courts, or who want to represent themselves in a legal matter. Self-help information does not constitute legal advice. Oregon law prohibits us from providing legal advice to the public. Some courts now have e-filing systems that allow lawyers and sometimes self-represented parties to easily upload electronic documents in portable document format (“PDF”) to a secure court-run website or private commercial department. Under the New York State Courts Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF), certain claims may be filed in Claims Court electronically on the NYSCEF website, subject to the following conditions: Once the judge has given you permission to file the electronic file, you must complete the court`s online registration form to activate your e-filing privileges for that case. in the court`s filing system (Case Management/Electronic Filing, or CM/ECF, system). This must be done within five (5) days of receipt of the order. Click here to access the online form.
To keep the court informed, each time you change your address, you must file an official form called Notice of Address (Form MC-040) with the court. There are two electronic methods of filing documents with the court. As described below, you may request authorization to file documents electronically in a case directly in the Court`s Case Management/Electronic Filing (“CM/ECF”) system. You can also submit documents to the Tribunal through the Electronic Document Submission System (“EDSS”). You don`t need to get permission to use EDSS, but it doesn`t offer all the features of e-filing. More information about EDSS can be found here. If you are not represented (you do not have a lawyer), you can submit documents by mail, in person or through our e-filing system. The OJD offers several interactive forms for self-represented litigants in small claims and family law matters.
Attorneys must file most documents through OJD`s approved e-filing system with the Oregon District Courts and Oregon Tax Court (see eFiling box below), as well as with the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court. “Deposit” usually means visiting a clerk at a filing kiosk; Payment of a application fee in cash, by cheque or credit card; and the presentation of the document to be submitted (usually the original and two copies). For each document submitted, the Registrar reviews the document to ensure that it complies with the court`s legal document formatting rules and verifies that the case number and caption apply to a valid case. (If the document is the first submission in a case, the Registrar assigns a new case number and opens a new file for the case.) Then, the clerk of the court stamps all copies with a large stamp indicating the name of the court and the date of submission of the document, then keeps a copy for the court records and returns the remaining copies to the applicant for the applicant`s documents and for shipping, hand delivery or any other form of service (as required by the applicable rules) to the opposing party in the case. The Clerk then adds the document to the case log and any related timelines or events. If you need to file documents with the court, you must attach a title page in the correct hearing format and give your brief a name. You can download a blank title page below if you need a cover page to attach to the documents you wish to submit. If you have a case before a court, you should always keep the court informed of any change in address or phone number (or your name if you change your name). If the court doesn`t have your most recent address, you`re missing out on important court orders. Once a case is pending, one party can usually serve the other party by mail at the address registered with the court. If your address to the court is out of date, you will also miss important documents filed by the other party in your case. They could lose important rights.
Q. Can I file a new complaint or referral notice electronically? To do this, you must complete and submit a Replacement Civil Attorney form (Form MC-050). This form is required whenever someone changes the person who acts as a lawyer. If a lawyer is representing you and you now want to represent yourself, you must fill out this form. Lawyer replacement – Civil removes a person as a lawyer in the case and replaces that person with another person (you or your new lawyer if you have one). After you submit your documents, you usually have to “deliver” a copy of the documents to the other party. The court will not serve the documents on you. Make sure you understand and follow the service rules. If you don`t, your case could be delayed or rejected. If you do NOT respond on time, the plaintiff or plaintiff can ask the court to file “a delay” against you. This means that you will no longer be able to respond or participate in the case, and the court will usually order what the plaintiff or petitioner asked for in the petition or complaint. If you want to be able to access case information and view documents filed in these cases online, you must open an account with PACER (the public system for accessing electronic court records).
Visit the PACER website (www.pacer.gov) or call the PACER Service Centre at (800) 676-6856 to create a new account. If you are having trouble connecting to PACER, contact the PACER Service Center. You do not need to register for the online service – registration is optional. If you don`t want to register, your hard copies will be sent to you via the U.S. Postal Service, so you won`t be able to learn as quickly that the court made an order in your case as you would have if you had signed up to receive email notification. If the defendant does not submit a response to the court within these 30 days, the court will not just make a decision. You must ask the court to “fail” the defendant, which means that they are no longer allowed to file a response and have breached their obligations (so your case will only be decided on the basis of the information you provide to the court, without the other party having any influence on the case). To download blank advocacy paper (paper with numbers on the left, a caption on the first page, a signature pad, etc.) in Microsoft Word that you can save to your computer and use to prepare your own documents, click on the following link: TIP! Different courts may have different filing requirements, so familiarize yourself with your court`s procedures.
The Las Vegas Court of Justice, for example, requires all documents to be filed electronically, so anyone filing with that court needs an email address to create an e-filing account. Click here to visit the Las Vegas Court of Justice website to learn more about the File and Serve program and the e-filing FAQ. You must file an application for an authorization to file e-filing in your case and then wait for the judge to grant your application. We recommend that you use the Court`s standard application form CV-05. Click here to download the blank form. You must submit this application on paper. If the judge rejects your application, you will not be able to file an electronic filing in your case. If the judge grants your request, go to step 3. Please note that if you request electronic service of documents, you will no longer receive paper copies of court or partisan documents in any of your pending cases in the Central District of California. You will receive a submission notification by email, with the option to access the documents themselves online. Please note: Yes, in all cases where you wish to file an application electronically, you must manually submit an application for authorization to file e-filing and then click here to activate your e-filing privileges once the application has been granted. When you are served with a lawsuit, you will usually need to file a formal response with the court if you want to participate in the case.
Writing a letter to the court and sending or delivering it is not enough. You must indeed submit your response to the clerk of the court. There are cases where you can show up for your trial without filing documents (such as in small cases), but in general, you should submit your answer if you want to make sure the judge hears your side of the story. Remember, if you have a hearing and have not submitted any documents in response, you can always come to the hearing and try to explain your point of view. Email address is ecf-helpdesk@cacd.uscourts.gov (link sends email) Completed legal forms are usually created to respond to common situations that courts and judges see over and over again. But your case – and almost all cases – is undoubtedly unique in some ways. As a result, there may not be a ready-to-use form that meets your needs. If you can`t find the pre-printed and filled out form you need, you`ll need to create the legal document yourself. Every document the judge is supposed to see must be “filed.” The documents you wish to submit may incur an application fee, payable in cash, money order and by most major credit/debit cards. For a list of all filing fees in Clark County District Court, see the Clerk`s Filing Fee Table.
If you can`t afford to pay the filing fee, see Fee waiver to learn how to ask the court to waive the filing fee.