Disrespected and Denied: How the Legal System Treats Pro Se Litigants Like Second-Class Citizens—and Why We Must Speak Out
In a courtroom supposedly built on justice, equality, and constitutional rights, one group continues to be mocked, maligned, and mistreated by the very system designed to protect them: pro se litigants—ordinary citizens who choose, or are forced, to represent themselves in court.
Behind the robe and the bar, judges and attorneys often treat self-represented individuals not just with skepticism, but outright contempt. These litigants—many of whom are fighting for their children, their homes, or their freedom—are frequently dismissed, silenced, and denied basic due process protections simply because they lack a law degree.
It is not just unfair.
It is unconstitutional.
And it must be called out—loudly and publicly.
The Modern Day “Second-Class” in the Courtroom
When you enter a courtroom without an attorney, many judges assume you are ignorant, unstable, or wasting the court’s time. Attorneys often use this power imbalance to their advantage—talking over you, submitting late or false documents without consequence, or using legal jargon as a weapon to confuse and outmaneuver you.
The rules seem to change when you’re pro se.
Court staff may refuse to explain procedures. Judges may deny motions without reason, ignore your evidence, or even joke about your lack of legal skill. Yet many self-represented litigants have no choice—they can’t afford legal counsel, or, in some family court and civil rights cases, they can’t even find a lawyer willing to take their side.
What happens then? The court pretends you have equal footing while placing you in a rigged arena.
Due Process Denied
The Constitution guarantees every citizen due process of law. This means the right to be heard, the right to present evidence, the right to challenge accusations, and the right to a fair and impartial judge.
But for pro se litigants, these rights are often theoretical.
Many report having motions tossed without explanation, being denied discovery while opposing counsel is allowed full access, or being cut off mid-sentence during hearings. Judges frequently grant the benefit of the doubt to licensed attorneys while treating self-represented parties as nuisances.
Worse still, some courts set impossible procedural traps—like requiring pro se litigants to format filings with the precision of seasoned attorneys, only to reject those same filings for minor clerical errors. It’s not justice. It’s gatekeeping.
And it’s happening in plain sight.
The Culture of Courtroom Disrespect
This isn’t just about legal error. It’s about institutional culture. Many judges and attorneys operate under the assumption that self-represented litigants are less worthy of respect, less trustworthy, and less capable of making rational arguments. That bias poisons the process.
Too often, courtroom decorum is used as a smokescreen for discrimination. Raise your voice out of frustration or panic, and you’re labeled “hostile” or “mentally unwell.” Struggle with trauma, ADHD, or disability, and your credibility is questioned. Demand your rights too loudly, and you’re hit with sanctions or contempt threats.
This isn't justice. This is legal elitism masquerading as authority.
Why We Must Call Them Out—By Name, In Public
There is a common fear among pro se litigants: If I speak out, they’ll retaliate. And often, they do. Judges wield immunity like a sword, and attorneys hide behind legalese and procedural shields.
But silence is surrender.
Judges and attorneys who violate our rights, mock our efforts, and deny us access to justice must be called out—publicly, unapologetically, and by name. If they are confident enough to disrespect and discriminate in public courtrooms, then the people must be just as confident in documenting and broadcasting their abuse of power.
Naming names isn’t defamation—it’s accountability. These are public servants operating in public forums. When they engage in misconduct, their actions must be exposed so that others can be warned, records can be preserved, and change can be demanded.
We the People: Reclaiming the Courtroom
The courtroom does not belong to lawyers.
It does not belong to judges.
It belongs to us—the people.
We fund the system. We uphold the Constitution. And we are the ones most affected when the legal process becomes a playground for bullies in black robes and $400/hour suits.
We need watchdog groups.
We need online records of judicial misconduct.
We need courtwatchers, legal observers, journalists, and citizens with the courage to speak.
To every pro se litigant who’s been silenced—your voice matters.
To every judge or attorney who has forgotten their oath—we see you.
Justice isn't served in secret. It's demanded in the open.
If you’ve been mistreated by a judge or attorney as a pro se litigant, tell your story. Name names. Build the record. You are not alone—and together, we can break the silence.
Contact us if you want to share your story.
Michael Phillips is a journalist covering legal reform, parental rights, and constitutional abuses in American courtrooms. His work is