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 Ohio, small claims courts are a division of the municipal and county courts designed to handle disputes involving relatively small amounts of money in a more informal setting than regular court proceedings. The jurisdictional limit for small claims in Ohio is $6,000, not including interest and costs. Parties are generally expected to represent themselves (pro se), although they are permitted to have an attorney if they choose. Small claims courts in Ohio handle a variety of cases, such as those seeking to recover debts, property damage, and landlord-tenant disputes regarding rent or property damage. The judges presiding over these cases are typically municipal or county court judges, rather than being referred to as Justices of the Peace. The process is designed to be accessible and user-friendly, allowing individuals to resolve their disputes quickly and without the need for extensive legal knowledge.