Small claims courts are included in each state’s court system and are designed for the resolution of disputes involving a limited dollar amount—and for the parties to the dispute to represent themselves (pro se). Small claims courts are often referred to as the People’s Court, and some states such as California prohibit attorneys from representing parties in small claims court. The limit on the amount of money in dispute (the jurisdictional limit) varies from state to state within a range of $2,500 to $25,000—but is usually between $5,000 and $15,000. The disputes filed in small claims courts are often seeking to recover a debt or involving residential landlord-tenant disputes. Judges in small claims courts in some states are called Justices of the Peace, and the courts are sometimes referred to as JP courts.

In Maryland, small claims are handled within the District Court system. The jurisdictional limit for small claims in Maryland is $5,000, which means that the court can adjudicate civil cases where the amount in dispute does not exceed this limit. Parties in small claims court in Maryland are allowed to represent themselves (pro se), but they are also permitted to have an attorney represent them if they choose. The types of disputes commonly seen in Maryland's small claims courts include those related to debt recovery and landlord-tenant issues. Maryland does not use the title 'Justice of the Peace' for its judges; instead, cases in the District Court are heard by judges without a jury.