General information
Some of the basic steps that you may take for your trial include: making an opening statement, submitting evidence, calling witnesses and asking them questions, cross examining witnesses called by the other side, making objections, and making a closing argument. Since every trial is different, you may need additional steps.
This information focuses on Superior Court bench trials (where the judge, not a jury, decides your case). You should also consult with the judicial assistant for your assigned judge to ask about any specific requirements of that judge.
Some resources with general information about trials:
- Trials overview from Justia
- Steps in a Trial from the American Bar Association
- Trial Overview: Going to Trial Without an Attorney from Pierce County
- How Trial Works from Genesis Law Firm
- The Roadmap to the Clerk's Office has some information about trials
Free eBook about representing yourself in court
How to find the eBook about representing yourself in court
Chapters 10-19 pertain to information during a trial
Opening statements
An opening statement is a preview about the case and tells the court what you intend to prove.
- The American Bar Association has tips for developing an opening statement as well as tips for making your opening statement engaging
- A wiki gives instructions for creating your opening statement
Offering exhibits
Exhibits are the documents, emails, texts, photographs, or other material that you want to have the court consider as evidence. Before you can use an exhibit, you need to "offer it" to prove its authenticity so that it can be admitted into the court record.
- The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges has 10 Steps for Presenting Evidence in Court, and Appendix B gives concrete examples of how to offer specific types of evidence into court
- WomensLaw.org has information on having a witness introduce evidence for the court
The State Court Rules of Evidence apply to all evidence used in court.
Witnesses
At trial, each side can testify on their own behalf, or introduce (call) witnesses to testify about information the witness has seen, heard, or knows. Each side can also cross-examine the witnesses that the other person has called.
- WomensLaw.org has information on presenting your case including how to call a witness to give testimony, how to question the witness after they have been called, how to give testimony yourself, and how to cross-examine the other side's witnesses
- Steps in a Trial from the American Bar Association has information about direct examination of your own witness, as well as cross-examination of the other party's witness
- LexisNexis offers Five Steps to an Effective Cross-Examination
The State Court Rules of Evidence apply to all evidence used in court.
Objections
An objection is how you tell the judge you believe that the other person’s evidence, testimony, or question shouldn’t be allowed. You can object to the entry of any type of evidence, as long as your objection is based on the State Court Rules of Evidence. The judge will then rule on your objection and either block the evidence or allow it to be admitted.
- WomensLaw.org has an overview about objections
- This PowerPoint from the University of Washington is designed for mock court but has a simple overview of the most common types of objections and when to make them
- This article from the Law Venture blog explains the top ten objections
- Hearsay and objections to hearsay are explained by WomensLaw.org
Closing arguments
A closing argument is your chance to explain why you should win the case as well as point out the weaknesses of the other side's case.
- The American Bar Association has information about closing arguments
- This wiki gives instructions on preparing your closing argument