Expert Advice When You Need It Most

What to Bring to Court with You

Written by: Stacy Mandel Levine

Reputation Level 10

Lawsuits

Posted about 3 years ago. Applies to New York, 4 helpful votes, 0 comments

Save

Share with:

What to bring to court for trial

Documents: bring ALL relevant documents with you. Even if you "think" you may not need them. ORIGINAL documents. ORIGINAL contracts. TITLES or ownership papers. Photographs. Written estimates. PAID bill receipts. Credit card statements. BANK statements. Lease agreements. Cancelled checks. Bring it ALL.

Originals

Why originals? They are the "best evidence". Copies of documents are just got as good, and, in some circumstances, are not useful at all. If you do not have an original, you will need to explain why- and that explanation is subject to scrutiny.

Photographs

If you are bringing photos, you must know by whom they were taken, when they were taken, and where they were taken. Do they accurately represent the item in the photograph at the time of the event in dispute? If you did not take the photos, bring with you the person that did take them.

Witnesses versus a written statement by a "witness"

Bring any witness you need to with you to court! Do not rely on a statement by the witness on paper, even if it is sworn into an "affidavit".

Organize

Organize your documents!! Chronologically. Alphabetically. By witness. By item. Have some order, so you are not weeding through papers at a trial when you are before the judge.