DSST Criminal Justice Practice Exam

Self-representation in court is signaled by the phrase in propria persona, which literally means “in one’s own person.” It is used in legal settings to describe a party who appears without an attorney and represents themselves in the proceeding. This term emphasizes the individual’s personal presence and direct handling of their case. While pro se is another common expression for self-representation in many contexts, in propria persona is the traditional court term that specifically labels the self-represented party. Pro per is a shorthand used in some jurisdictions, and pro bono means providing services for free to the public—unrelated to the self-representation label.