Representing yourself in court

You have the right to represent yourself during a trial, and the court may even allow you to act as a lawyer in your own defense at trial. The law refers to self-representation as “pro se” representation. If you request to continue pro se, the judge must allow you to represent yourself if he or she determines you are mentally and physically able to do so, are making an informed and voluntary decision to give up your constitutional right to counsel and are aware of the disadvantages of self-representation.