Pro se Pro se is a legal term that comes from Latin, meaning “for oneself, on one’s own behalf.” It basically means that an individual is representing him- or herself in court by choice without the help of an attorney. People may choose to represent themselves in court for a variety of reasons. Some want to avoid the expense of hiring a lawyer, others believe that they know their own situation better than a lawyer, and therefore are in a better position to handle the case.

Section 1654 of title 28 of the United States Code provides: “In all courts of the United States the parties may plead and conduct their own cases personally or by counsel as, by the rules of such courts, respectively, are permitted to manage and conduct causes therein.”

The Supreme Court has noted that “

[i]n the federal courts, the right of self-representation has been protected by statute since the beginnings of our Nation. Section 35 of the Judiciary Act of 1789, 1 Stat. 73, 92, enacted by the First Congress and signed by President Washington one day before the Sixth Amendment was proposed, provided that ‘in all the courts of the United States, the parties may plead and manage their own causes personally or by the assistance of counsel.’”

Deciding to represent yourself can be overwhelming. Cockle Legal Briefs can help guide you through the appellate brief process. We routinely consult with pro se litigants filing briefs in the United States Supreme Court and federal circuit courts of appeals.

To stand out in a crowded docket, our team of experts will assist you by:

  • Reviewing the individual sections of your document for rule compliance.
  • Formatting your documents as required by the Court.
  • Proofreading for inconsistencies and grammatical errors.
  • Incorporating final edits; printing and binding your legal brief.
  • Preparing the certificate of compliance and affidavit of service.
  • Filing your documents with the Court and opposing counsel.

Our website is full of resources to help you produce your pro se Petition. You can find Samples of Petitions for your reference. We also have a variety of blog posts such as: Resources for Pro Se Petitioners in the U.S. Supreme Court; Six Common Questions and Answers for Pro Se Litigants; and Prisoners As Pro Se Litigants.

Proceeding pro se can be a daunting task. With the right help, pro se litigants can effectively represent themselves. At Cockle Legal Briefs, we are passionate about helping pro se litigants succeed! Contact us today to get started.

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