What Family Court staff can and cannot do for you
WHAT COURT STAFF CAN AND CANNOT DO FOR YOU
Court staff must remain impartial at all times. This means that no court employee can take sides in any matter before the court. Court staff will give the same types of limited information to people on both sides of a case, but they cannot provide legal advice to anyone. Giving legal advice is the practice of law, and only a licensed attorney with whom you have formed an attorney-client relationship may give legal advice.
This basic rule protects everyone coming to court, including you, from unfairness and injustice. The following describes what court staff can and cannot do.
What Court Employees CAN DO
Court staff can provide contact information regarding legal referral services in Stark County.
Court staff can direct the public on where to find legal forms.
Court staff can explain and answer questions about how court works in a very limited capacity.
Court staff can provide basic information such as hours of operation, hearing schedules, and the process for getting matters scheduled. They can also provide general information that can be found in the local rules of the court, and once a case is filed, can provide parties with a case number and hearing dates/times.
What Court Employees CANNOT DO
Court staff cannot advise on whether or not to bring a case to court, what steps to take while in court, or give an opinion about what will happen after you present your case to the court.
Court staff cannot provide legal interpretation, procedural advice, or recommend particular pleadings, name particular parties, make particular allegations, file within a time frame or otherwise assist with trial preparation.
Court staff will not allow you to speak to the judge or magistrate outside of the courtroom. They also cannot talk to the judge or magistrate on your behalf.
Court staff cannot fill out a form for you or tell you what words to use.
Court staff cannot sign an order or change an order signed by the judge or magistrate.