--- name: ca-pro-se title: Pro Se Drafting for California Courts description: Use when drafting California court documents for a self-represented (pro se / "In Pro Per") litigant. Triggers include "pro se", "in pro per", "self-represented", "representing myself", "pro-se drafting framework", "draft without an attorney", "pro se California", "Judicial Council forms", "fee waiver", "FW-001", "how do I serve", "CCP 415", "CCP 1013", "Self-Help Center", "In Pro Per", or when the user describes themselves as the plaintiff or defendant directly. Covers the Parker drafting framework adapted for California, "In Pro Per" vs. "self-represented litigant" terminology, service protocols under CCP §§ 412.10-417.40 and 1010-1020, Judicial Council form use, In Forma Pauperis fee waivers (FW-001 / FW-003), and California- specific pro se resources. Layer on top of ca-statewide-format and the applicable county skill (ca-lasc, ca-sfsc, or ca-county-courts). author: codearranger author_url: https://github.com/codearranger/claude-legal/tree/main/plugins/ca-court-docs/skills/ca-pro-se license: MIT version: 0.1.0 execution_mode: open jurisdiction: us practice: litigation language: en --- # Pro Se Drafting for California Courts Use this skill when drafting court documents for a self-represented litigant in a California Superior Court. It encodes the Parker drafting framework adapted to California procedural conventions and the practical service and filing protocols pro se filers need. > **NOT LEGAL ADVICE.** Generated content is a drafting aid; verify > against current rules and case law before filing. For complex > matters, or matters with substantial sums at stake, consider > consulting a licensed California attorney. ## "In Pro Per" vs. "Self-Represented Litigant" California uses both terms, but each has a distinct context: - **"In Pro Per"** (Latin: *in propria persona*) is the traditional California legal term. Use it on signature blocks, caption lines, and in court filings. California courts universally accept it and judicial officers recognize it immediately. - **"Self-Represented Litigant" (SRL)** is the preferred term in court staff communications, Self-Help Centers, and California Rules of Court (CRC 10.960). Judicial Council materials, courthouse signage, and the courts.ca.gov website use SRL. **Rule of thumb:** - On documents you file: use **"In Pro Per"** - When talking to court staff or reading courthouse resources: use **"self-represented litigant"** Both terms mean the same thing; neither is wrong in either context. ## The Pro-Se Drafting Framework — adapted for California Every motion and declaration follows four principles: 1. **Front-load the strongest facts.** The judge should know the best fact in the case within the first paragraph. Do not bury it under procedural history. 2. **Keep motions concise.** Target 4–6 pages for a motion plus memorandum. Use bold lead-ins to let the judge skim. Every sentence earns its place. 3. **Write to the judge, not to opposing counsel.** Avoid ad hominem. Let the record speak. State facts; let the judge draw the characterizations. 4. **Let the record speak.** Attach the documents that prove the point. Cite them by exhibit number and page. A well-indexed record is worth more than rhetoric. ### California-specific Parker adaptations **Cite the CCP section on the first line.** California judges expect the procedural authority up front. "Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 2031.310, Defendant moves..." not "This Court has inherent power to compel..." **California Style Manual citation format.** Use "Code Civ. Proc., § 2030.300" (abbreviated code name, section symbol, section number) — not "CCP 2030.300" or "§ 2030.300(b)(1)" without the code prefix. Full citations in argument sections; abbreviated in parenthetical references. **Exhibits are lettered in California.** Unlike Oregon (which uses numbered exhibits), California practice typically uses alphabetical exhibit labels (Exhibit A, Exhibit B). Follow the convention of the court and local rules — LASC does not mandate a particular convention, but lettered exhibits are the dominant practice. **Verified complaints and declarations.** California Code of Civil Procedure section 2015.5 governs unsworn declarations. Use the statutory form: "I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct." Add date and place of execution. **Tentative-ruling awareness.** California's tentative-ruling system (CRC 3.1308) means the judge posts a preliminary ruling the day before the hearing. Read it. If the tentative is adverse, request oral argument by 4:30 p.m. the day before — silence means the tentative becomes the order. (See ca-hearings for full detail.) **CCP 437c summary judgment timing.** California's SJ deadline differs from FRCP Rule 56: notice must be given 75 days before the hearing date (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c(a)(2)). Add an additional 5 days if served by mail or 2 days if served by overnight delivery (Code Civ. Proc., § 1005(b)). **This is longer than federal — do not port FRCP timelines.** ## Signature block for pro se (California) ``` ____________________________________ [Full Name] In Pro Per [Street Address] [City, CA ZIP] Telephone: [Phone] Email: [Email] ``` - Use **"In Pro Per"** on all filings - **Omit California State Bar number** — that is for licensed California attorneys. Including a fake bar number could constitute unauthorized practice of law under Business and Professions Code section 6125 and exposes you to contempt sanctions. - Include phone number (required for court correspondence) - Include email (for electronic service under Code Civ. Proc., § 1010.6) - For declarations, add the Code of Civil Procedure section 2015.5 perjury clause above the signature ## Common pro se pitfalls — California-specific | Pitfall | Fix | |---------|-----| | Missing tentative ruling deadline | Check the court's website by 5:00 p.m. the day before; if adverse, contest by 4:30 p.m. | | Missing points-and-authorities | Most California motions require a memorandum of points and authorities (CRC 3.1113(a)); no P&A may mean denial | | Page limits exceeded | CRC 3.1113(d): 15 pages for most motions; 20 for SJ; get leave for more | | Separate statement omitted | Summary judgment and motions to compel further discovery responses require a separate statement (CRC 3.1350, 3.1345) | | Citing "FRCP 12(b)(6)" | California analog is **Code Civ. Proc., § 430.10(e)** — demurrer for failure to state a claim | | Citing "Fed. R. Civ. P. 56" | California SJ is **Code Civ. Proc., § 437c** with different timing | | Citing "interrogatory limit 25" | California allows **35** specially prepared interrogatories without a declaration (Code Civ. Proc., § 2030.030) | | Lettering exhibits "1, 2, 3" | Use letters (A, B, C) or follow the convention used in your court | | No proof of service | Every filing requires a Proof of Service (POS-030 or POS-040); clerk may reject without it | | Missing caption format | California captions include case number, assigned department, and hearing date/time if applicable | | Emotional tone | Rewrite as neutral fact statements with record citations | | Missing relief clause | Every motion ends with a clear statement of what order is requested | ## Judicial Council forms California Superior Courts use **Judicial Council of California** standardized forms. Many filings must use or may use these forms. Key form prefixes: - **MC-** (Miscellaneous Civil): general civil motions (MC-025 Attachment, MC-031 Declaration) - **CIV-** (Civil): civil case-specific forms (CIV-110 Request for Dismissal; CIV-050 Substitution of Attorney) - **POS-** (Proof of Service): POS-030 (proof of service by mail); POS-040 (proof of personal service) - **SC-** (Small Claims) - **UD-** (Unlawful Detainer / eviction) - **FL-** (Family Law) - **JV-** (Juvenile) All current forms available at: https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm **When must you use a Judicial Council form?** CRC 1.35 requires use of mandatory Judicial Council forms where they exist. If the form is marked "Mandatory", use it exactly as formatted — do not reformulate in your own template. If marked "Optional", you may substitute a pleading in your own format as long as it contains all required information. See `references/pro-se-toolkit.md` for detail on form use, including fee waiver forms. ## Drafting checklist (run before filing) - [ ] Caption is complete and matches the case number, court, and department exactly - [ ] Court header: "SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA" + "COUNTY OF [COUNTY]" - [ ] Party separator is "vs." (California Superior Court style — note: California civil captions traditionally use "vs." not "v."; check local rules; LASC uses "vs.") - [ ] First paragraph states the single most important fact or legal point - [ ] Every factual assertion is supported by an exhibit or sworn declaration - [ ] Memorandum of points and authorities is attached (CRC 3.1113) - [ ] Page limits checked (15 pages / 20 for SJ — CRC 3.1113(d)) - [ ] Separate statement filed if required (SJ, discovery motions) - [ ] Proof of service attached (POS-030 or POS-040) - [ ] Code Civ. Proc., § 2015.5 declaration clause on all declarations - [ ] Signature block: full name, "In Pro Per", address, phone, email; NO State Bar number - [ ] Tentative-ruling checked (if hearing date is tomorrow) - [ ] Confidential information redacted per CRC 1.20 (SSN last 4 only; financial account numbers partially masked) ## California-specific pro se resources ### Statewide - **California Courts Self-Help Guide**: https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp.htm - **Judicial Council forms** (all forms, searchable): https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm - **LawHelpCA.org** (income-qualified legal help): https://www.lawhelpca.org/ - **California Courts Self-Help Centers**: every Superior Court in California is required to operate a Self-Help Center under Government Code section 68651. These provide assistance with forms and procedures (not legal advice). ### Legal aid and reduced-fee resources - **Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA)**: https://lafla.org/ | (800) 399-4529 - **Bay Area Legal Aid**: https://baylegal.org/ - **Bet Tzedek Legal Services** (Los Angeles): https://www.bettzedek.org/ - **California State Bar Lawyer Referral Services**: certified lawyer referral services by county: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Need-Legal-Help/Lawyer-Referral-Service - **California Lawyers Association Pro Bono Project**: https://calawyers.org/probonosection/ ### County-specific self-help - **LASC Self-Help Center**: Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles; also Chatsworth, Inglewood, Compton, Pomona, Van Nuys — see courts.ca.gov/selfhelp for all locations - **SFSC Self-Help Center**: Civic Center Courthouse, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, Rm. 101 - **San Diego**: Hall of Justice, 330 W. Broadway, Rm. 225 - **Sacramento**: Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse, 720 9th St., Rm. 102 ## Companion skills - Use `ca-statewide-format` for document templates, caption structure, and CRC formatting requirements - If the case is in Los Angeles Superior Court, use `ca-lasc` for LACourtConnect, department assignments, and LASC-specific rules - If the case is in San Francisco Superior Court, use `ca-sfsc` for CRS reservations and department-specific practice - For any other California county, use `ca-county-courts` - For discovery disputes, use `ca-discovery` - For hearing preparation, use `ca-hearings` ## References - `references/pro-se-drafting-framework.md` — full drafting guide with California-flavored examples and style citations - `references/service-protocol.md` — CCP §§ 412.10-417.40 service of summons; CCP §§ 1010-1020 service of motions; POS-030/POS-040 templates; the 5-day mail extension under CCP § 1013 - `references/pro-se-toolkit.md` — Judicial Council form use guide; fee waivers (FW-001 / FW-003); Self-Help Center resources; In Forma Pauperis under Govt. Code §§ 68630-68641 **NOT LEGAL ADVICE.** Generated content is a drafting aid; verify against current rules and case law before filing.