You’re Guide to Evidence Presentation in Small Claims Cases

Preparing for a small claims court hearing involves thorough fact-checking, gathering solid evidence, and organizing your thoughts and materials that are present in small claims cases. If you want to convince a judge to obtain a favorable decision then present your case with clear and logical evidence that makes your case strong. Different kinds of evidence allow submission in court like your own testimony, other witnesses, as well as documents and other physical evidence but keep it in mind that all evidence you submit must be logical and relevant to your case.

How to Determine What Evidence Are Acceptable In Court

A piece of evidence is admissible in court to prove that someone owes you money under the court’s standards and rules you are allowed to present evidence before the judge or jury. If you want your piece of evidence to be acceptable when present then you need to consider these main points such as relevancy, materiality, competency, hearsay, and other legal considerations.
Relevancy: whether the evidence is related to a fact presented in the case and can make a fact more or less probable than it would be without the evidence. 
Materiality: focuses on the evidence that relates to a fact that is actually unclear and is not a waste of time. Material evidence can be used as evidence that really “matters.”
Competency:  In the context of evidence, refers to reliability and it's important to be prepared to prove the legitimacy of the evidence if questioned.
Hearsay: Understand that most courts do not consider hearsay statements made outside of court that cannot be verified as meeting the standards of relevancy, materiality, and competency. 
Other Legal Considerations: Be aware of other legal considerations that may affect the usability of evidence, such as attorney-client privilege and the potential for unfair bias (prejudice) among the judge or jury.

Types of evidence 

There are types of evidence that can be presented in court. Each type of evidence serves a specific purpose that supports your case and evidence acceptability depends on various legal considerations and rules of court and must follow these rules when presenting evidence in court.
Physical Evidence: the documents, contracts, receipts, photographs, videos, weapons, clothing, and other objects that are relevant to the case.
Testimonial Evidence: the statements made by witnesses involved in the case
Documentary Evidence: written or recorded materials such as contracts, emails, letters, reports, and other written records that are relevant to the case.
Demonstrative Evidence: diagrams, charts, maps, models, and other graphic materials that will help explain the facts and concepts to the judge or jury especially in financial-related cases.
Digital Evidence: is the information stored electronically including emails, social media posts, digital photographs, videos, and other digital records.
Real Evidence: the physical objects or materials that are directly related to the case in question, such as a damaged item or a piece of equipment involved in an incident.
Expert Evidence: The testimony or reports provided by qualified experts in a particular field who are forensic experts, medical professionals, or financial analysts.

Submit your evidence in court within 21 days before the hearing of your case

Filing your evidence in court at least 21 days before the hearing is an important step in the preparation process for a small claims case. This proactive approach promotes fairness and allows for a more efficient and organized presentation of evidence during the hearing. Your evidence such as documents, contracts, or witnesses try to convince the judge that you’re right. The judge could refuse to take it into account if you forget to file a document before the hearing. Evidence must:
Be reliable.
Be in good condition.
Be able to withstand the study of its collection and preservation procedures.
Be presented in the courtroom in specific ways that are easily understood by all people or judges present in the courtroom