Information Guidelines

CAN CANNOT
1. Explain court rules and procedures 1. Suggest which of several available procedures a litigant should follow
2. Explain options available to litigants 2. Provide opinions as to which option to choose
3. Provide information about past rulings in a case 3. Predict what the court will do
4. Provide cites (or copies) of statutes, court rules and ordinances 4. Provide an analysis or interpretation of statutes or ordinances based om the specific facts of a litigant's case
5. Explain public court operations and roles of court personnel 5. Provide information derived from the decision-making process
6. Explain what records are kept by the court and can be made available to the public 6. Provide access to court records that are sealed or made confidential by law
7. Provide public case information 7. Provide confidential case information
8. Explain how and where to file a complaint concerning a judge, court employee or private attorney 8. Provide opinions about the conduct of a judge, court employee or private attorney
9. Provide general referrals to other offices or persons 9. Provide referrals to other offices or persons based upon personal preference
10. Provide forms and instructions, and, in appropriate circumstances, enter the information provided by litigants on the form 10. Provide or suggest the information that should be entered on the forms