Pleading For Help In Chicago
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Generally, judges hold self-represented litigants to the same standards of professional responsibility as trained attorneys. If you do not hire an attorney, you must become familiar with the statutes, case law, and procedural rules that apply to your case.
Many people have successfully represented themselves. Others have gone to court and found that their case was more complicated or that the court process was more difficult than they expected. These are some things to consider when deciding whether to represent yourself: Are you good at completing paperwork?
Clouded Judgment - When someone represents oneself, their judgment may be affected since they are solely concerned with themselves. For example, a defendant may ignore the evidence and fight with emotions, ultimately undermining the defense.
Who qualifies for civil legal aid? Legal aid services are available to U.S. citizens in Illinois with incomes at or below 125% of the current Federal Poverty Levels. In some cases, people with incomes at 150% or more of the federal poverty level may qualify for legal aid.
If you or someone you know is in need of connections to legal and community services throughout Illinois, call us at our 24/7/365 Help Not Jail hotline, 1-800-LAWREP4 (I-800-529-7374) to connect with a hotline responder.
Generally, judges hold self-represented litigants to the same standards of professional responsibility as trained attorneys. If you do not hire an attorney, you must become familiar with the statutes, case law, and procedural rules that apply to your case.
Proceeding without a lawyer is called proceeding “pro se,” a Latin phrase meaning “for oneself.” Representing yourself in a lawsuit can be complicated, time consuming, and costly. Failing to follow court procedures can mean losing your case. For these reasons, you are urged to work with a lawyer if possible.
O You must file the Appearance form in the county where the court case is filed. o Make copies of your original Appearance for yourself and each party in the case. o Bring the original Appearance and the copies to the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse. Appearance, and return these copies to you.
Filing a Motion via E-filing You can e-file using a personal computer or at one of the public access eFile workstations offered at the Daley Center and in suburban courthouses. You must have an email address to e-file.
If you want to file a motion, the process is generally something like this: You write your motion. You file your motion with the court clerk. The court clerk inserts the date and time your motion will be heard by the judge. You “serve” (mail) your motion to the other side.
