Washington, DC - HALT, a leading publisher of legal self-help publications, today released a resource that educates people about small claims court, a non-criminal court that allows individuals to resolve monetary disputes without the complicated procedures and "legalese" used by most courts. Because they have simple rules, no juries, and often no lawyers, they allow people to resolve such disputes quickly and inexpensively. The Citizens Legal Guide Small Claims Court: The True People's Court, is available for free on HALT's Web site and through HALT's Legal Information Clearinghouse.

"For years, HALT has urged states to increase access to their small claims courts. This guide will help people take advantage of the expanded small claims access that HALT has helped create" said HALT Senior Counsel Tom Gordon, the guide's author.

Although the name "small claims" may imply otherwise, in some states these courts can resolve disputes worth as much as $8,000, $10,000 or even $15,000. This Citizens Legal Guide walks the individual through the small claims court process and answers many common questions people have about going to court, including how to decide if a case is eligible for small claims court, how to file a case with the court, how to prepare for trial, and how to collect your money should the person win.

HALT's Citizens Legal Guides are the newest additions to HALT's selection of self-help publications. The new booklets, which also include Where Do I Go for Legal Help and I Have a Problem with My Lawyer, supplement HALT's existing range of resources, which includes brief brochures and handouts along with Citizens Legal Manuals, full-length books that offer detailed information on a legal topic, such as legal research, probate or small claims court.

Founded in 1978, HALT - An Organization of Americans for Legal Reform is a nonpartisan, nonprofit public interest organization. HALT pursues an aggressive education and advocacy program that challenges the legal establishment to improve access and accountability and reduce costs in the civil justice system. Please visit www.halt.org for more information.