The Small Claims has simpler example, if the time in the notice is 9:30 AM, rules than the regular civil court with you should be at the courthouse no later than What Happens forms and procedures designed to 9:15 AM. You must enter the courthouse through a metal detector, so it may take extra time to be more easily understood by people When You enter the building. without legal training. However, you Go To Small may still be uncertain about what Where can I park? will happen on the day you come to Some courthouses have parking, but many Claims Court the Court. This brochure will answer do not. You may need to park in a nearby questions on what happens when lot or garage or find on-street parking. For you come to Small Claims Court. For information, please call the Clerk’s Office or more information go to http://www. check the website: http://www.jud.ct.gov/ jud.ct.gov/faq/smallclaims.html. directory/court_directions.htm. What will happen when I get to Is there a dress code or any the courthouse? requirements about what I can wear to Court? The courthouse doors open at 8:30 AM. The Court is a formal setting so you should Please be prepared to wait briefly in a line at dress appropriately. For example, you should the entrance. When you enter the courthouse, probably not wear t-shirts or jeans with holes you will have to go through a metal detector. in them, tank tops, halter tops, or revealing The metal detector is operated by the Judicial clothing. Marshals, who provide security for the courthouse.

The Judicial Branch of the State of Connecticut complies Can I bring my children to Court? Any metal items can set off the metal detector. with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you Try not to bring your children to court. The You will have to empty your pockets of all need a reasonable accommodation, in accordance with metal objects before walking through the metal the ADA, contact a Judicial Branch employee or an ADA day can be long for young children, and if contact person listed at www.jud.ct.gov/ada/. they become noisy, it will distract people in detector, and anything you bring with you will the courtroom, interrupt the proceedings, and be scanned. If your belt has a large metal buckle make it hard to hear. or your jacket has large metal buttons or zippers, for example, you may be asked to take them What time should I come to off. Things that could be used as a weapon (for the courthouse? example, a pocket knife) will be taken from you so please do not bring them with you. Ü You will want to be at the courthouse at least 15 minutes before the time of your hearing, which is in the Notice of Hearing. For

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JDP-CV-118 (New 3/12) How long will I be at the Court? What is a ? When you are in the courtroom, please: Also, if other people saw what happened How long you will be at court depends on the A magistrate is an attorney who is appointed • Stay in the courtroom quietly until it is your or have information that will support your number of cases in the court that day, how to hear and decide small claims cases. Some turn to speak claim (witnesses), bring them with you on the date of your hearing. You may want to long the other hearings take, or whether you court locations may have attorneys who • Stand when the magistrate enters or leaves the make an agreement with the other side. You have volunteered to act as hearing officers have specific questions for those people courtroom and when you are speaking with the (your witnesses). The Magistrate or hearing should plan on being at the court for the whole (commissioners) to assist the court in hearing magistrate day. The court staff will try to get you out as small claims cases. These volunteer attorneys officer will swear in all the witnesses before quickly as possible. have been approved by the court and, if both • Refer to the Magistrate as “Magistrate” or anyone asks questions. you and the other party agree, your case may be “your honor.” When do I find out the Do I need a /Attorney? decided by a hearing officer. • Be sure to answer out loud when you are asked Magistrate’s decision? The Small Claims Court has been set up to any questions. What do I need to do after I tell the The Magistrate might give the decision from allow you to handle your own case from start • Do not interrupt other people when they are clerk I am in the courtroom? the bench. If not, the court will send you a to finish. However, attorneys are allowed in speaking. notice telling you the decision. the Small Claims Court. If you decide that you When court begins, the Magistrate will sit want a lawyer, you will have to hire one. The behind the bench and will read the list of cases What should I bring with me to court What if I don’t agree with the to be heard that day. When you hear the name of on the day of my hearing? court will not appoint a lawyer for you. Magistrate’s decision? your case, stand up and let the Magistrate know On the day of your hearing, unless you and the The Magistrate’s decision is final and Where do I go once I get into that you are there. If you do not hear the name of other party make an agreement, you will have a the courthouse? you cannot a Small Claims Court your case, tell the Magistrate when he or she is on that date. Before you come to court, you decision. Once you have gone through the metal finished reading the list. may want to write some notes about what you detector, look for signs saying where the Small want to tell the court about your case. You will What are the basic rules of Does the court collect my money? Claims Court will be. If you don’t see a sign, also want to have: courtroom conduct? No, but you may go to the Clerk’s Office or ask a Marshal or someone in the Clerk’s Office • Your notice of hearing; where the Small Claims Court is. Before you enter the courtroom, please: the Court Service Center for help with forms • Any papers that support your claim, such as • Turn off any cell phone, beeper, and pager you and ways to collect your money. If court has not started when you enter the pictures, canceled checks, letters, paid bills, may have courtroom, go to the clerk and show the clerk receipts, damage estimates, or agreements. the notice you received or tell the clerk your • Throw away all food, drinks and gum Bring copies for the other party and the name or the name of your case. If you come Magistrate. into court late, let the Magistrate or the Clerk • Take off any hat you are wearing unless you know you are there when there is a break wear it for religious reasons between cases. If you do not let them know you are in court, you may lose your case because no one knew you were there.

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