Represent Yourself in Court: How to Prepare and Try a Winning Case » (Sixth Edition)

Paul Bergman is a Professor of Law at the UCLA School of Law and a recipient of a University Distinguished Teaching Award. His recent books include Reel Justice: The Courtroom Goes to the Movies (Andrews & McMeel); Trial Advocacy: Inferences, Arguments, Techniques (with Moore and Binder, West Publishing Co.); and Represent Yourself In Court and The Criminal Law Handbook (both with Berman-Barrett, Nolo). He has also published numerous articles in law journals, and regularly gives presentations on how law and lawyers are portrayed in film.

Sara J. Berman-Barrett is a professor at Concord Law School and co-founder of PASS Bar Review. She is the co-author of Represent Yourself in Court and The Criminal Law Handbook and the author of numerous articles and law course materials.

Prepare and present a winning civil court case!

Written in plain English, Represent Yourself in Court breaks down the trial process into easy-to-understand steps so that you can act as your own lawyer -- safely and efficiently. Find out what to say, how to say it, even where to stand when you address the judge and jury.

Armed with these simple but thorough instructions, you'll be well prepared to achieve good results, without the cost of an attorney. Find out how to:

file court papers

handle depositions and interrogatories

comply with courtroom procedures

pick a jury

prepare your evidence and line up witnesses

present your opening statement and closing argument

cross-examine hostile witnesses

understand and apply rules of evidence

locate, hire and effectively use expert witnesses

make and respond to your opponent's objections

get limited help from an attorney as needed

monitor the work of an attorney if you decide to hire one

Whether you are a plaintiff or a defendant, this book will help you confidently handle a divorce, personal injury case, landlord/tenant dispute, breach of contract, small business dispute or any other civil lawsuit.

The 7th edition is completely updated to include the latest rules and court procedures and more sample documents to help guide you through your case.

New Orleans Times-Picayune

An excellent resource that outlines what's involved in representing yourself in court -- from presenting evidence to the rules of cross examination.

1 Going It Alone in Court
2 The Courthouse and the Courtroom
3 Starting Your Case
4 Overview of Pre-Trial Procedures
5 Investigating Your Case
6 Settlement
7 Pre-Trial Motions
8 What you Need to Prove at Trial: The Plaintiff's Perspective
9 What you Need to Prove at Trial: The Defendant's Perspective
10 Selecting the Decision Maker
11 Opening Statement
12 Direct Examination
13 Cross-Examination
14 Closing Argument
15 Exhibits
16 Basic Rules of Evidence
17 Making and Responding to Objections
18 Organizing a Trial Notebook
19 Expert Witnesses
20 When Your Trial Ends: Judgments & Appeals
21 Representing Yourself in Divorce Court
22 Represent Yourself in Bankruptcy Court
23 Getting Help from Attorneys: Hiring a Legal Coach
24 Legal Research
Glossary
Index