What to Expect from Court Staff

What court staff can do for you

Supreme Court Rule 1402: Providing Assistance to the Public

Your communication with court staff is not privileged or confidential, and it does not create a lawyer-client relationship. 

• Court staff must remain neutral and impartial.

• Court staff will treat you with respect.

• You should talk to a lawyer if you want personalized legal advice.

Court staff CAN:

• Suggest talking to a lawyer.

• Give you information about resources, such as:

  • lawyer referral services that can direct you to low-cost or no-cost legal help where available;

  • legal aid programs;

  • where to find online forms; and

  • the public library.

• Explain the process and costs of filing.

• Check forms for completeness.

• Exactly record information provided if you are unable to fill out the form yourself.

• Explain the hearing process.

• Help locate local records.

Court staff CANNOT:

• Give you legal advice.

• Tell you if you should file a case.

• Perform legal research.

• Represent you in court.

• Investigate case facts.

• Tell you what a statute or rule means and whether it applies to your case.

• Tell you what the result of a case will be.

• Disclose confidential information.

• Tell you what to say.

• Talk to the judge for you.