Court & Hearings
During a case
Resources that help explain things you can do if you are in the middle of an existing case.
Explains the different consequences of court cases that are ended with a ruling with or without prejudice. Dismissal with prejudice is a final judgment. A case dismissed without prejudice means it's not dismissed forever. The person whose case it is can try again.
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Describes what a summons and subpoena are, how they are used and how they are different.
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This Easy Form makes an Appearance form that tells the court and the other parties that you are participating in a court case. It can also make an optional Jury Request.
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As of September 18, 2023, Illinois courts no longer use a cash bail system. Instead, they use a “pretrial release” system as allowed by the SAFE-T Act. Learn more about this new system and what it means.
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Either side of a court case can file a motion. Motions ask the court to do something.
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Explains how to look up information on court cases at the courthouse and online.
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This Easy Form helps you ask a judge to reschedule your hearing date or give you more time to do something.
Easy Form
How to file a Motion to Continue that asks a judge to change a court date including a link to the forms you need.
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A program to help you tell the court and the other parties that you are participating in a court case. The form can be directly e-filed if using a fee waiver.
Easy Form
Definition of a motion to dismiss and when and why it might be used in a court case.
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Explains what you have to do if you receive a subpoena from the court. Do not ignore the subpoena. Failure to reply to a subpoena could result in charges of contempt of court, fines, and even jail time.
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Use this form to ask the judge to enforce a judgment or order.
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Steps to file a motion in court from where to file your motion to how the court hearing works.
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Learn when and how to use a Motion to Quash to challenge improper service, subpoenas, or evidence.
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Use this form to swear under oath in writing to facts that you personally know.
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You have the right to fire or change your lawyer at any time. This article tells you how.
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Explains how to file a motion to reconsider, if you disagree with an order of the court. Describes the situations when you can use this motion.
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Use this form to let the other party know that you filed a motion and there will be a hearing.
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Advanced content for lawyers. Information on Illinois Civil Procedure, from filing a complaint to post-trial motions to enforcement of judgments.
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A video explaining what papers you need to file and what you need to do if you're being sued.
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The basics about how to summon someone into court, so they have to testify.
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Your case may move to a new judge for reasons beyond your control, but you can also request that you have a new judge appointed using a Motion for Substitution.
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Explains the rules for depositions in Illinois, with a focus on the person doing the deposition.
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A program to help you prove that you sent a copy of a court document to the other parties in a court case. It's called a Proof of Delivery or Proof of Service.
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Explains the desired time to file, what it should say or contain, and fees associated with filing a motion.
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Explains how remote court hearings work, how to know if you have one, and how to prepare. It also tells you what to do if you can't participate.
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A video explaining how to file a motion and ask the court to take the action you want.
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Discovery is used to gather information from another party in your case. Learn how and when to use it.
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The different types of courts at the state and federal level, finding legal help, and tips to help you in court.
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Learn about the differences between a jury trial and bench trial in civil cases.
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Describes how to respond to a Petition which is filed against you when someone says you did not follow a court order.
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This article explains the meaning and protections given by attorney-client privilege.
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This Easy Form helps you tell the court and other parties that you are appealing an order or judgment in your trial court case.
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A video about what happens if you miss a court date and what you should do if you know you cannot make a court date.
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A video by Chicago Volunteer Legal Services about the power of the court to punish someone for interfering with the court process.
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A video for attorneys by the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services about the issues you might have to overcome if you voluntarily dismiss a case.
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Describes the rules lawyers must follow and what to do if you want to file a complaint against a lawyer.
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A video on what a court order is, how to draft one, and what to expect when you go to court.
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Explains the phrase "common law" and how it works in the American legal system.
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You can file a motion to ask for the court's permission to do something or to require the other side to do something.
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If you do not pose an immediate danger to yourself or others, you are entitled to have a court hearing before you are admitted to a mental health facility.
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General information on the rules about taking pictures and video in a courtroom.
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Explains the rules for depositions in Illinois, with a focus on the person being deposed.
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A video and a link to other videos by the Midwest Center on Law and the Deaf showing legal terms in American Sign Language.
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Explains how to get an interpreter for court cases when a person has limited ability to speak or understand English
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Going to court can be scary. Prepare by watching this video which shows each step in the process.
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Describes using a Petition for a Rule to Show Cause to have the person who owes you money come in and tell why the payments are not being made. During the original court case, you were the plaintiff, and the person who owed you money was the defendant.
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A program to help you request an interpreter to help you or someone else understand what is being said in court.
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A handbook for lawyers on special remedies, covering rescission, reformation, injunctions, interpleader, constructive trusts, subrogation, and contempt, with sample petitions, orders, and forms.
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A handbook for lawyers on appellate practice in state and federal courts, covering post-judgment motions, standards of review, cross-appeals, interlocutory appeals, oral arguments, and more.
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The American College of Trial Lawyers give advice to attorneys on how to build your argument in a case so that it is most persuasive.
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A video by the Midwest Center on Law and the Deaf on the basics of going to court and what to expect in a courtroom. This page also links to a video series by the Chicago Hearing Society covering different legal topics, all in American Sign Language.
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A list of resources in American Sign Language (ASL), including videos about court, legal terms, and how to get an interpreter.
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A manual for lawyers on trial strategy, covering trial psychology, community attitude surveys, change of venue studies, jury selection, witness preparation, demonstrative evidence, trial consultants, and post-verdict interviews.
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A lawyer resource on discovery, including rules, limitations, interrogatories, document requests, depositions, exams, and remedies for noncompliance in special cases.
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A handbook for lawyers on federal criminal practice, covering jurisdiction, grand juries, bail and detention, plea bargaining, motions, jury selection, sentencing, habeas corpus, and appeals.
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A lawyer resource on Rule 23 and class actions, covering investigation, discovery, notice, pleadings, motions, settlements, derivative suits, and attorneys’ fees.
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A lawyer resource on federal civil practice, covering jurisdiction, pleadings, motions, discovery, pretrial, magistrate judges, trial, appeals, and more.
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A lawyer resource on starting a cause of action, including petitions to perpetuate testimony, discovery to identify parties, adding respondents in discovery, class actions, and more.
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A lawyer resource on evidence at trial, including sufficiency of proof, objections, hearsay, privileges, physical and demonstrative evidence, motions, and misconduct.
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A lawyer resource on attorney-client relationships, including case development, settlement, jurisdiction, venue, pleadings, affidavits, and related procedures.
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A lawyer resource on introducing trial evidence, including how to lay proper foundations, handle objections, preserve the record, and best practices from judges and litigators.
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A lawyer resource on civil litigation, covering discovery, litigation rights, tax aspects, injunctions, declaratory relief, dismissals, summary judgment, pretrial conferences, and trial preparation.
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A lawyer resource on handling trials, covering jury selection, opening and closing statements, testimony, record preservation, motions, verdicts, judgments, and post-trial motions.
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