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 New Mexico, small claims courts are known as Magistrate Courts for most of the state and Metropolitan Court in Bernalillo County. These courts handle cases where the amount in dispute is $10,000 or less. Parties in New Mexico small claims courts are encouraged to represent themselves (pro se), but they are not prohibited from having an attorney. The types of cases typically seen in small claims courts include debt recovery, property damage, and landlord-tenant disputes. The judges presiding over these cases are called Magistrate Judges or Metropolitan Court Judges, depending on the court. The process is designed to be simpler and more accessible than other court proceedings, allowing for a quicker resolution of disputes.