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 in rural areas and Metropolitan Court in Bernalillo County. These courts handle cases where the amount in dispute is $10,000 or less. Parties in small claims court in New Mexico are allowed to represent themselves (pro se), but they are also permitted to have an attorney if they choose. The types of disputes commonly resolved in these courts include debt recovery, property damage, and landlord-tenant issues. The judges presiding over these cases are known as Magistrate Judges in Magistrate Courts and Metropolitan Judges in the Metropolitan Court. It's important for individuals to prepare their evidence and understand the court procedures, as the process is designed to be simpler and more informal than in higher courts.