Courts & Types
Federal District Court
When a case belongs in federal court, and the resources federal courts offer people without lawyers.
Local rules vary: Federal rules apply nationwide, but each district has its own local rules.
When a case goes to federal court
Federal courts hear cases involving federal law (civil rights, federal statutes, the U.S. Constitution), cases between citizens of different states where more than $75,000 is at stake, and cases involving the U.S. government.
The reality for self-represented people
Federal litigation is demanding. A Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy study found pro se plaintiffs won about 3% of final judgments in federal district courts between 1998 and 2017. Preparation and organization matter a great deal.
Help available
Most districts publish a pro se handbook, and many run a pro se clinic or help desk. The federal judiciary's website has forms for common filings, including the fee waiver application.
Sources
General information, not legal advice.