"Exhibits" refer to evidence you plan to use in trial. This can include rental receipts, repair receipts, inspection reports, and/or names of witnesses providing testimony.
Before your trial, you will need to make at least 3 copies of your itemized exhibit list and corresponding evidence (one for you, one for the court, and one for your landlord or landlord's attorney). You MUST mail one compelete copy of your exhibit list and evidence to your landlord or landlord's attorney on or before the named deadline. Send your exhibits by registered mail ("Return receipt requested") and prepay any postage charge as necessary.
COMPILING EVIDENCE: WITNESS TESTIMONY & IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
If you suspect a key witness will not appear at your trial hearing, you can subpoena that witness. A subpoena is a court order to appear in trial. If you want the witness to bring important documents to court with them, you should use a Subpoena Duces Tecum. The Subpoena form is available at District Court. The court clerk can provide general assistance, but will not give legal advice.
Once you complete and file the Subpoena, you must serve it on your witness. You may serve the Subpoena in one of three ways:
- Hire a Sheriff
- Ask a friend over 18 years old, who is not a party to the case
- Registered mail (return receipt requested).
This means you must properly serve the person, and pay all expenses. If the witness is not properly served, he/she is not required to appear or submit requested documents.