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What should I do before going to court?

Try not to be nervous. Keep in mind that the judge - or mediator, in some cases - is experienced in settling disputes and will try to come to a fair decision. If you think you will have trouble remembering all the facts or talking to the judge, write down a list of the important points so you won't forget anything. Or,
have someone write the list for you. Then, rehearse what you want to say in front of a friend, a family member or a mirror. If necessary, you can read your remarks to the judge. But do not plan to make a long statement. You also can ask the small claims court advisor to help you prepare for the hearing. And although you cannot take a lawyer to court with you, you have every right to talk with one beforehand. If you want to talk to a lawyer and do not know one, you can ask a friend, a coworker, your employer or a business person to recommend one. Or, call your local State
Bar-certified lawyer referral service. Look in the Yellow Pages of your telephone directory under "Attorney Referral Services," "Attorneys" or "Lawyers." The person who answers your call can make an appointment for you to see a lawyer, Usually, you will pay a small fee to talk with the lawyer for about one half-hour. If you need to hire the lawyer for additional help, make sure you
understand what you will be paying for, how much it will cost and
when you will be expected to pay your bill. You can ask to have this information in writing.

Important: If your case deals with personal injury (automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, medical or legal malpractice) or workers' compensation cases (accidents at work) and deals with California law, you can reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week just by calling 1-800-LAW-TALK, from anywhere in the United States, for a free consultation.

These Frequently Asked Questions are based on California Law. Information with a * was originally published by the State Bar of California and is also available through them. It is reprinted with their permission.

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CAUTION! Please remember that no information found at this site can replace a face to face meeting or telephone consultation with a "real live" attorney about your particular case, problem or question. The information you find here or in the answers should just be a starting point in finding your answers.

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