Equal Access

Materials for Providers of Legal Self-Help Service

Trial Preparation

This section contains instructional materials developed by self-help center for the people they serve. The materials are developed for specific courts and are examples only.

For materials that are appropriate for statewide use, please see the California Courts Self Help Center.

Preparing for Court

Presenting Evidence

Court Appearance


Preparing for Court

Trial Preparation Brochure Intake (Rev. 3/2014) (Prepared by the Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado)

How Do I Prepare for My Hearing? (30 KB) (prepared by the Superior Court of California, County of Butte) 

How Do I Prepare for My Hearing? (77 KB) (prepared by the Superior Court of Santa Barbara County, Office of the Family Law Facilitator)

Preparing for Your Court Trial [Criminal Court] (8 KB) (prepared by the Superior Court of California, County of Yolo)
Also available in Spanish and Russian.

Getting Evidence for Court (Rev. 7/2007)

How Do I Represent Myself? (92 KB) (Prepared by the San Francisco ACCESS Center)
Also available in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, and Tagalog.

Preparing Your Family Law Trial Brief (3MB) (Rev. 09/2014) (Prepared by the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego)

Self-Represented Litigant Trial Readiness Resource List (Rev. 04/2014) (Prepared by the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego)

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Presenting Evidence and Witnesses

How to Handle Witnesses When You Are Representing Yourself (47 KB) (prepared by the Superior Court of California, County of Butte)

What Can I Say When I Am Showing the Judge My Photos of the Bad Conditions? (50 KB) (prepared by Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles)
Also available in Spanish.

Unlawful Detainer - Photo Attachment Form (25 KB) (prepared by Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles)
Also available in Spanish (27 KB).

How to Prepare Your Exhibits, SHC-1084 (PDF 117 KB) (prepared by the Alaska Court System)

Introduction to Getting an Exhibit Admitted into Evidence (22 KB) (prepared by the Alaska Court System)

Offer of Proof - Witness (18 KB) (prepared by the Alaska Court System)

Offer of Proof - Exhibit (18 KB) (prepared by the Alaska Court System)

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Court Appearance

Representing Yourself in Court? (41 KB) (prepared by the Superior Court of California, County of Butte)

Issues that May be Addressed During your Court Hearing: Family Law (prepared by the Superior Court of California, County of Butte)

Guidelines for Courtroom Behavior (24 KB) (prepared by the Alaska Court System)

Eviction - Your Trial Day (465 KB) (prepared by Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles)
Also available in Spanish (322 KB).

Instructions on How to Use the Attached Form to Prepare for Your Trial (50 KB) (prepared by Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles)
Also available in Spanish.

Steps When Telling Your Side of the Story to the Judge (38 KB) (prepared by Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles)

What you will need to prove to win your case (Landlord) (37 KB) (prepared by the Superior Court of California, County of Butte)

When Your Case Goes to Trial (Tenant) (32 KB) (prepared by the Superior Court of California, County of Butte)

Outline of What Occurs at a Trial Preparation Session (32 KB) (prepared by Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles)

Script for Role of Bailiff and Clerk (20 KB) (prepared by Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles)

Script for Role of the Commissioner (32 KB) (prepared by Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles)

Script for Role of Landlord's Attorney (28 KB) (prepared by Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles)

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