Pro se (pro-say) means to argue on one’s own behalf in a court or other legal proceeding—also referred to as representing yourself in court or self-representation. A person can appear pro se in a civil or criminal case, but only a licensed lawyer can appear in court on behalf of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other legal entity.
In Colorado, individuals have the right to represent themselves in court, a practice known as 'pro se' representation. This applies to both civil and criminal cases. Pro se litigants are expected to understand and follow the same legal procedures as an attorney would, which includes filing legal documents, presenting cases in court, and adhering to court rules and procedures. However, while individuals can represent themselves, corporations and other legal entities such as limited liability companies and partnerships must be represented by a licensed attorney in court. This is because these entities are considered separate legal 'persons' and require professional legal representation to navigate the complexities of the law on their behalf.