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 5th edition is completely updated to include the latest rules and court procedures, and more sample documents to help guide you through your case. Table of Contents 1. Going It Alone in Court 2. The Courthouse and the Courtroom 3. Starting Your Case 4. Pretrial Procedures 5. Investigating Your Case 6. Settlement 7. Pretrial Motions 8. Proving Your Case at Trial: The Plaintiff"s Perspective 9. Proving Your Case 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 and Appeals 21. Representing Yourself in Divorce Court 22. Representing Yourself in Bankruptcy Court 23. Getting Help From an Attorney: Hiring a Legal Coach Glossary Index