Filing an Appearance - How-to Tutorial Text Version (rev4-2010)

Filing an Appearance rev4-2010 Thursday, May 06, 2010Slide 1Welcome to the Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries Self-Represented PartiesInformation Series.Slide 2Filling out and filing an Appearance form for someone responding to a lawsuit (defendant).In this overview, we will show you the correct way to fill out and file an Appearance in alawsuit. An Appearance form (JD-CL-12) is the official court form filed with the Court Clerkthat places your name and address on file with the Court. It also tells the court that you knowabout the case and that you are going to represent yourself in the case. Putting your nameand address on file allows the Court to mail notices of court dates and court rulings to you atthe address on file. It also gives other parties and attorneys an address to send paperwork toyou. Court rules state that defendants should file an appearance within 2 days after theReturn date.When you file an Appearance, you are agreeing that the Court has authority over you andyou are expected to follow the rules and decisions of the Court. You may say that the Courtdoes not have any authority over you, but to do so you must file a separate paper, called amotion, with the Court after you file your Appearance. After you file your Appearance and youfollow the rules, if you do not agree with the decisions of the Court, you can usually file anappeal later and the decisions will be looked at by another court.Page 1 of 15Filing an Appearance ...