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 Washington State, small claims courts are venues where individuals can resolve minor disputes involving money or property without the need for an attorney. The jurisdictional limit for small claims in Washington is $10,000, meaning that the amount in dispute cannot exceed this figure. These courts are designed to be user-friendly, allowing parties to represent themselves (pro se). While attorneys are not prohibited from representing parties in Washington's small claims courts, the process is streamlined to encourage self-representation. Common types of cases heard in small claims courts include debt recovery, property damage, and landlord-tenant disputes. The judges presiding over these cases are typically not referred to as Justices of the Peace, but rather as judges or commissioners. The goal of small claims courts in Washington is to provide a quick, informal, and cost-effective means of settling minor disputes.