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 Missouri, small claims courts are a division of the Circuit Court known as Associate Circuit Courts. These courts handle disputes involving money or property up to a jurisdictional limit of $5,000, not including interest and costs. Parties in Missouri small claims courts are allowed to represent themselves (pro se), which means they do not need an attorney to file a claim or to defend against one. However, unlike some states such as California, Missouri does not prohibit attorneys from representing parties in small claims court. The types of disputes commonly resolved in Missouri's small claims courts include those related to recovering debts, property damage, and landlord-tenant issues. The process is designed to be relatively quick and informal compared to other court proceedings, with the goal of providing an accessible means for individuals to resolve their disputes.