Pro se Representation

Definition

Pro se representation refers to when someone represents themselves in court without the help of a lawyer.

Analogy

Imagine you're playing a game of basketball but instead of having a coach guide you, you decide to make all the decisions yourself. That's what it's like to represent yourself in court - it can be challenging without professional guidance!

Related terms

Public Defender: This is a lawyer appointed by the court to represent defendants who cannot afford an attorney. If someone chooses pro se representation, they are declining this assistance.

Legal Aid: Legal aid organizations provide free legal services to people who cannot afford them. Like with public defenders, if someone chooses pro se representation, they are choosing not to use these services.

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: This is a claim made by a defendant that their attorney's performance was so poor that it denied them their constitutional right to counsel. It's related because it involves issues with legal representation.