Small claims courts are designed to be accessible to people without legal training, so the evidence rules are less strict than in superior court. However, there are still some basic rules that you should follow when presenting evidence at a small claims hearing.
Types of evidence
The types of evidence that you can present at a small claims hearing include:
- Documents: Documents can include contracts, receipts, invoices, letters, emails, and photos.
- Testimony: Testimony is the oral evidence that you and other witnesses give at the hearing.
- Expert opinions: Expert opinions are the opinions of people who have special knowledge or skills in a particular area.
How to present evidence
When presenting evidence at a small claims hearing, you should:
- Make sure that the evidence is relevant to your case.
- Make sure that the evidence is authentic.
- Make sure that the evidence is admissible.
Relevant evidence is evidence that has something to do with your case. For example, if you are suing someone for breach of contract, the contract is relevant evidence.
Authentic evidence is evidence that is genuine. For example, if you are presenting a contract as evidence, you need to make sure that it is the real contract and not a fake.
Admissible evidence is evidence that is allowed to be presented at the hearing. There are some types of evidence that are not admissible, such as hearsay evidence. Hearsay evidence is evidence that is told to you by someone else.
Tips for presenting evidence
Here are some tips for presenting evidence at a small claims hearing:
- Be organized. Make sure that you have all of your evidence ready before the hearing starts.
- Be clear and concise. When presenting your evidence, explain what the evidence is and how it supports your case.
- Be respectful. Be respectful to the judge, the court staff, and the other party.
- If you are presenting documents as evidence, make sure that you have copies for the judge and the other party.
- If you are presenting witnesses, make sure that they are prepared to testify.
- If you have any expert witnesses, make sure that they are qualified to testify and that their testimony is relevant to your case.
By following these tips, you can present your evidence effectively at your small claims hearing. If you have any questions about presenting evidence at a small claims hearing, you can contact your local small claims court for more information.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Contact us today to discuss your specific situation.