Clerks of the Courts

Whether you are a lawyer, paralegal, or simply representing yourself in court at some point during any court process you will undoubtedly have to deal with a court clerk. As one who has represented himself on several occasions there seems to be one aspect of dealing with these clerks that stands out for me. Some are down right rude, condescending, and have absolutely no people skills yet work in a field that one should have some type of skills dealing with people. Maybe some empathy as well and a bit of understanding for the situation that people like us find ourselves in.  Yes we all have bad days, but when a lawyer or paralegal come in and are treated with a certain respect and a regular citizen comes in right after and is basically snubbed and disrespected when all they are asking for are forms or to have something sworn to and perhaps have something explained to them, it is simply giving themselves a black eye and a reputation that at some point will catch up with them. I mean, for myself, I use it as motivation. I realize that by representing ones self you risk slowing the process down by not knowing the process and forms to use but at the end of the day, this is  a country that you have the Right to represent yourself. Some don't have the money, some don't qualify for legal aid and in my case, I simply hate to have to pay someone to represent me in a case that only I know everything about, and am more than capable of doing myself and in most case do it better than most lawyers and paralegals. That is why I will always be glad to give advice to anyone who asks and tell people though the courts and the system can seem intimidating at times, you can do it. If the clerks were friendlier and more helpful and less condescending then the system might actually feel a little more comfortable and less intimidating.