You'll need to know rules of evidence for your trial
Get familiar with the rules of evidence. In court, everyone must follow the rules of evidence. These rules say what evidence a judge (or jury) can consider when they make a decision.
Court proceedings have rules of evidence that everyone must follow. These rules exist to make sure that the judge gets reliable, relevant, and accurate evidence to consider when making decisions about your case.
Some of the most important rules are:
- Generally, people can only talk about what they know first-hand – what they themselves saw, heard, felt. There are some exceptions to this rule.
- The other side has the right to cross-examine anyone whose words (whether written or spoken) are being considered.
- All testimony must be relevant information.
You can find the rules for what evidence can be used in court in the California Evidence Code. You will have to follow these rules even if you are self-represented. You will not get any special treatment just because you are not a lawyer. And the judge and the court staff cannot help you prepare or present your case.