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 Wisconsin, small claims courts handle cases involving disputes up to $10,000 for money claims, personal property, and torts. For eviction actions, there is no dollar limit. Individuals and businesses can represent themselves in small claims court, known as proceeding 'pro se,' but they also have the option to be represented by an attorney if they choose. The process is designed to be more informal and accessible than other court proceedings, with the goal of resolving disputes quickly and without the need for extensive legal knowledge. Cases commonly heard in Wisconsin's small claims courts include those related to unpaid debts, damages to property, and landlord-tenant issues such as evictions or rent disputes. The judges presiding over these cases are typically circuit court judges rather than Justices of the Peace, as the latter is not a judicial office in Wisconsin's court system.