Rule 33 Limited Scope Representation

Sometimes a person handling their own court case gets limited help from a lawyer, instead of hiring one to handle the whole case. This rule explains what happens when a lawyer helps write court papers for someone but does not fully represent them in court.

Under this rule, a lawyer can help write documents like motions or pleadings for someone who is representing themselves. The lawyer does not have to officially join the case or show up in court for it. However, the lawyer must put their name, address, bar number, phone number, and other contact information on the document. They can also sign it if they want, along with a note that says "No appearance is entered as counsel of record."

This setup lets people get some legal help with paperwork without paying for a lawyer to manage the entire case. It also lets the court and the other side know that a lawyer helped prepare the document, even though that lawyer is not officially representing the person in court.