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 where the amount in question does not exceed $5,000, excluding interest and costs. This limit is set to ensure that the cases are relatively minor and can be resolved quickly and with less formality than in higher courts. Parties in Missouri small claims courts are allowed to represent themselves (pro se), but they also have the option to hire an attorney if they choose. The types of cases typically seen in Missouri small claims courts include those seeking to recover debts, property damage claims, and landlord-tenant disputes, among others. Judges preside over these courts, and there is no use of the title 'Justice of the Peace' in the Missouri court system for small claims matters.