Rule 144.03 Court May Question Parties and Witnesses

Here's what this rule means for you if you're in small claims court.

The judge isn't just sitting back and listening to lawyers argue. Since most people in small claims court don't have a lawyer, the judge takes an active role. This means the judge can ask you and any witnesses questions directly to get to the truth of what happened.

The judge's job is to figure out who's right based on the facts and the law, not just to referee a debate between two sides. If something is unclear or you forget to mention an important detail, the judge might ask you about it. This helps make sure the judge has the full picture before deciding the case.

This is good news if you're nervous about representing yourself. You don't need to know fancy legal tricks or how to cross-examine someone. Just tell your side of the story honestly, and be ready to answer questions if the judge asks. The judge is there to help sort out the facts, not to trip you up.