US Supreme Court Examines Services for Self-Represented Litigants
December 20, 2012 by Editor
The treatment of self-represented litigants is an ongoing dilemma for Indiana courts. Judges grapple with questions of how to effectively ensure access to justice for these litigants, who may be at a disadvantage in proceedings where important rights are at stake. This question was addressed by the United States Supreme Court in 2011 [...]
Small Claims Court Litigants: Informational Self-Help Videos Available on Judicial Website
December 20, 2012 by Editor
The Indiana Supreme Court and the Marion County Circuit Court have produced a set of videos designed to inform litigants of their rights and responsibilities in small claims court proceedings.
These videos—both a statewide version and a version specific to Marion County small claims—are available online at courts.in.gov/3966.htm.
The Indiana Bar Foundation also assisted with the project.
If [...]
Access to Justice Workshop
July 3, 2012 by Editor
“Because we’re here, I hope one less person is going to be a victim of domestic violence, one less person is going to be denied their benefits, one less person is going to feel shut out of the legal system that they thought was a promise to all of us.”
This was expressed by Justice Nathan [...]
Best Practices in Dealing with Self-Represented Litigants
February 21, 2011 by Editor
[Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of four articles from the Ethics and Professionalism Committee of the Indiana Judicial Conference. The author thanks and acknowledges the contributions of those who attended the session at the September, 2010, Judicial Conference in Indianapolis and contributed to the “Best Practices” suggestions related here.]
Dealing with [...]
Supreme Court Website Helps Courts Manage Self-Represented Litigants
December 31, 2009 by Editor
Almost every trial judge knows that there is a growing number of litigants who represent themselves in court, either by choice or because they cannot afford to hire attorneys. In 2008, more than 400,000 people represented themselves in Indiana trial courts. Those individuals may go to court without the benefit of an attorney, but that [...]
New Roads Ahead for Self-Represented Litigants
August 31, 2009 by Editor
Almost 10 years ago, a small team of individuals headed west to learn about the latest findings and information concerning the rising trend in “pro se litigation.” With the leadership, vision, and support of Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard, Judge David Coleman (Hendricks), Judge Gregory Donat (Tippecanoe) and Staci Terry, Esq. (formerly [...]
NOTICE! “What the Courts Can and Cannot Do” Posters
April 30, 2009 by Editor
All Trial Court Judges should have received a new set of posters that tell “What the Courts Can and Cannot Do”, compliments of the Indiana Commission on Race and Gender Fairness.
As these posters hang side by side in your courtroom or clerk’s office, many of our Indiana residents, both English and Spanish speaking, have a [...]
Self Help Video for Litigants Without Lawyers
October 31, 2008 by Editor
The future of your family life is at risk. A considerable portion of your wealth is up for grabs. You are in a completely unfamiliar arena where your fate will be decided by people you don’t know and who know nothing about you.
That’s the scenario faced by many citizens who go into court on a [...]
Equal Access to Justice in Indiana
October 31, 2008 by Editor
In his State of the Judiciary address in 2007, Indiana Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard remarked that out of the 1.6 million new cases filed in the prior year, more than 99% of them began and ended in front of a judge or jury in a trial court. He also reported that about 40% of [...]
