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What to Do on Court Day

What to bring, how to present your case, and what happens if someone doesn't show up.

Last checked November 1, 2026 · 3 minute read

The short answer

Arrive early with copies of everything. Tell the story in order, show your proof, and answer the judge's questions directly.

What to bring

Use the Evidence Checklist for your dispute.

How to present it

  1. Start with what you want and why, in one or two sentences.
  2. Walk through the dates in order.
  3. Hand up your proof as you reach each point.
  4. Explain how you worked out the amount.
  5. Let the other side speak, and don't interrupt.

If someone misses it

California

If a properly served defendant skips the trial, the judge decides without them and they will probably lose. A defendant who didn't appear can't appeal, but can ask to cancel the judgment within 30 days.

Nevada

A defendant who fails to appear may have judgment entered against them. They can ask to set it aside, but filing that doesn't automatically stop collection.

Sources

Keep going

Free toolEvidence ChecklistWhat to gather for your kind of dispute. Print it and check it off.After courtAppealing a Small Claims DecisionWho can appeal, how long you have, and what actually happens.After courtHow to Collect a JudgmentThe court decides who owes what. Getting paid is up to you.

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General information to help you get organized, last checked November 1, 2026. It isn't legal advice, and SueYou isn't a law firm. Laws change and every case is different, so confirm anything important with a lawyer or the court. No lawyer has reviewed this page yet.