Standing Before the Judge: Washington Small Claims Courtroom Etiquette
What to wear, when to arrive, how to address the judge, and how parties present evidence at a Washington small claims hearing in district court.
After You File
Can You Subpoena a Witness in a Washington Small Claims Case?
Most Washington small claims hearings don’t require subpoenas, but when a witness won’t appear voluntarily, CRLJ 45 lets the district court clerk issue one. This article covers when to use a subpoena, how to issue one, what to pay the witness, and how to serve it.
Admissible Evidence in a Washington Small Claims Hearing
What documents, photographs, and witnesses Washington district court judges admit in a small claims hearing under the informal evidence standard, and what they will still exclude.
Preparing Your Case for a Washington Small Claims Hearing
What to do between filing and the hearing date, organize a timeline of the dispute, label your exhibits, prepare witnesses, and walk through what the judge will hear.
Locating a Missing Defendant in Arizona Small Claims
Arizona small claims allows only certified mail or personal service under A.R.S. § 22-513. When the defendant cannot be located, the plaintiff’s options include skip tracing through a licensed process server, transferring the case to the regular justice court civil division to unlock service by publication, or dismissing without prejudice and refiling once a current address is known.
Filing Proof of Service for an Arizona Small Claims Hearing
Arizona small claims accepts two forms of proof of service: a signed return receipt for certified-mail service, or an affidavit for personal delivery.
Service of Process: Reaching a Defendant in Arizona Small Claims
Arizona small claims requires the defendant to receive the complaint and summons before the court can proceed. The plaintiff can use certified mail through the clerk or personal service by a constable, sheriff, or registered process server.
Courtroom Conduct at Arizona Small Claims Hearings
Conduct expectations for an Arizona small claims hearing, how to dress, when to stand, what to call the judge, and what to avoid in justice court.
If You Need to Subpoena a Witness in Arizona Small Claims
A subpoena compels a non-party to testify at an Arizona small claims hearing or to bring records to it. The clerk issues subpoenas after a party requests one, identifies the witness, and prepays the statutory witness fee.
Evidence in Arizona Small Claims: What the Hearing Officer Accepts
Under A.R.S. § 22-516, an Arizona justice of the peace or hearing officer may admit any material, relevant, and competent evidence at a small claims hearing, with one statutory exception for privileged communications.
Inside an Arizona Small Claims Hearing: Preparation and Procedure
A walk-through of how Arizona small claims hearings actually run, what evidence and witnesses to line up, and the pre-hearing deadlines that decide whether the judgment is appealable.
When You Cannot Locate the Defendant in Massachusetts Small Claims
How Massachusetts small claims cases handle a defendant the court cannot reach by first-class mail: address research, certified mail, constable service, and the dismissal point.