COURT SERVICE CENTER

Just for a little practical advice, if you are looking for a place to hang out and do a little business before or after a hearing, try the Court Service Center. This is a place in the courthouse intended for self represented parties, although lawyers hang out there as well.

Basically, it's a place where there are a few clerks at a reception desk available to answer basic questions about court policies and procedures, although they will not provide legal advice. Of course, that's a fine line to tread, as you can imagine, so if a little legal advice leaks into their explanations of court policies and procedures, don't be surprised.

At least one of the clerks is usually a notary public, so you can get your documents notarized there for free. The Court Service Center also includes a xerox machine where you can make copies of your legal documents for free. They have a limit of ten copies per day, but no one is watching closely and counting, as far as I can see, although if you push it and one of the clerks notices you might get some rolling eyeballs.

There is also a fax machine which you can use for free, as well as a telephone which is free as long as you make local calls (limit of ten minutes to the calls). There is a bank of computers where you can type up or edit any legal documents as well as get online. Lots of people just gather around a computer and write their agreements (stipulations) up on the spot, negotiating as they go. So you can have his attorney, her attorney, him and her, his friends, her friends, relatives, plus the parties' kids and they are all jumping into the mix all involving themselves in the process. For some work and conferencing space there are a series of circular tables and very comfortable chairs with wheels so you can roll around on them.

There's some little furniture there for little kids to sit, but basically no toys or anything to make them feel comfortable, so it's a really bummer if you are a kid and have to be there.

Then there is an entire wall full of court forms which you may need to use for any action you take in Court. Also, there are a few racks full of brochures explaining the importance of fatherhood, domestic violence, parenting classes, etc. etc.

Along with all this there are bunches of staplers, staple removers, two hole punches, three hole punches, pens, paper clips, etc. In addition, there are a few extra copies of the 2010 Practice Book and a copy of the Connecticut General Statutes, if you need a little extra light reading.

Usually, a State Marshall shows up daily between 12:30 and 1:30pm if you need one to send out a supoena or a notice of hearing, etc. and their rates are on the cheaper side than they would be if you called them from your home. So, that's the scoop on court service centers. They are there for you, so take advantage of them!