Proceeding Without an Attorney
Self-Representation
“Pro se”: One who represents themself in a court proceeding without the assistance of a lawyer. This is also called self-representation.
Pro Se Litigants Clinic (Self-Help Clinics)
Pursuant to Local Rule 10.05, all pleadings filed by self-represented (pro se) litigants will first be reviewed by a member of the bench before being time-stamped by the Clerk of Courts. This Court strongly encourages self-represented litigants in all Domestic Relations matters (Divorce, Dissolution, Post-Domestic) to attend a free self-help clinic sponsored by Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO) before filing any documents with the Clerk of Courts. Dates and locations can be found in the Pro Se Clinic flyer. You must preregister by applying for services with Legal Aid Line at 888-534-1432 or https://legalaidline.lawolaw.org/.
To file in Juvenile Court a self-represented person must comply with Juv. Rule 25 of the Court's Local Rules. To file in Probate Court a self-represented person must submit their pleadings to the Court for review prior to the pleadings being file-stamped.
The pro se clinic is a training session between LAWO and the participant. The purpose of the clinic is instructional and educational and is not intended as an agreement to retain legal services. The relationship between the parties is that of student and teacher and is not that of attorney and client. The participant will be required to review and execute a Limited Legal Assistance Agreement prior to the start of the session.
Additional information for self-representation can be found at:
- Ohio Judicial Conference for information on representing yourself in Court and why court staff is prohibited from providing legal advice. OJC 2023 Guide to Representing Yourself in Court
- Access to Justice https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/services-to-courts/court-services/access-to-justice-resources/
- Ohio Legal Help www.OhioLegalHelp.org
- All standard Domestic Relations and Juvenile standardized forms can be found on the Supreme Court of Ohio website.
Criminal Case Procedures
Rules of Criminal Procedure 5: The defendant has a right to counsel and the right to a reasonable continuance in the proceedings to secure counsel, and, pursuant to Criminal Rule 44, the right to have counsel assigned without cost if the defendant is unable to employ counsel.
A Juvenile and an Adult appearing in the Juvenile division of the Common Pleas Court have the right to court appointed counsel, if the eligibility requirements are met. Please contact the Court to obtain the Financial Disclosure/Affidavit of Indigency form (or see below to print the form.)
Unable To Afford Counsel/Indigency in Criminal Cases
Pursuant to the Ohio Office of Public Defender
1. An applicant's indigency or eligibility for a reimbursement, recoupment, contribution, or partial payment program shall be determined by the courts.
2. Pursuant to section 120-1-03 of the Ohio Administrative Code, in determining indigency, the court shall use form OPD-206R : Financial Disclosure/Affidavit of Indigency form.