This page highlights resources for persons seeking to represent themselves in certain civil actions without an attorney. Court staff are limited in their ability to assist with these resources.
What Court Staff CAN DO
We can provide you with links to websites that provide resources for self-represented litigants.
We can explain and answer questions about how the court works.
We can provide you general information about court rules, procedures and practices.
We can provide you information from your case, including hearing dates.
We can provide a copy of the small claims manual and court forms that are available and instructions on how to complete them.
We can review your papers for completeness by checking for signatures, notarization, correct county name, and correct case number.
What Court Staff CANNOT DO
We cannot provide legal advice or legal interpretations. Only a lawyer can give you legal advice. Staff can answer questions that call for factual information—these are generally questions that start with “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” or “how.” They cannot answer questions that call for an opinion about what you should do—these are generally questions that start with “should,” or “whether.” For example, court staff can explain court rules and procedure, but they cannot suggest which of several available procedures you should follow.
We cannot advise you whether or not you should bring your case to court or give you an opinion about what will happen if you bring your case to court.
We cannot advise you what to say in court.
We cannot let you talk to the judge outside court. We also cannot talk to the judge for you about your case.
We cannot fill out a form for you or tell you what words to use in your court papers.
We cannot sign an order or change an order signed by the judge. We cannot explain the meaning of a court order to you.
We cannot provide any guidance or interpretation of the Parenting Time Guidelines for you.
The information below provides access to court forms and resources for persons wishing to represent themselves in court in certain civil matters. It should be noted that self-representation should not be taken lightly, and there are many instances in which hiring an attorney is a good idea. In fact, we suggest that you talk with an attorney prior to submitting forms or petitions to a court.
HOW DO I?
- File a Protection Order
Civil protection orders are available for situations involving domestic or family violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, or child sex grooming. Tutorials and instructions for filing a protection order online can be accessed by clicking the Get Started button below. In person filing can be done through the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Madison County Government Center, 16 E 9th Street, Anderson, IN 46012 on the second floor.
- Look Up an Inmate in the Madison County Detention Center
Persons booked into the Madison County Detention Center can be found here.
- Look Up an Inmate in the Department of Correction
Persons incarcerated in the Indiana Department of Corrections can be found here.
- File a Small Claims Case
The Small Claims Court allows every citizen to bring a lawsuit in an informal manner and does not require that a party hire an attorney. You may hire an attorney if you want; however, in most instances you will not be able to get the other party to pay your legal fees even if you win unless there is some written agreement making the other party liable for your attorney's fees.
The State of Indiana provides a small claims manual to guide citizens through the small claims process. Click below to access the small claims manual and other resources: