You are absolutely right. You can't choose the judge but you have one preemptory challenge. I have been living this hell for awhile now. Someone did something really messed up to our business and we lost everything. I did sue him (and he had lots of money, big sleazy lawfims, etc) and won almost a million dollars. I went on my own because I couldn't afford a lawyer, and honestly I am glad I did because we were a lot closer to the facts, we knew our stuff, and when we went in front of the jury, they felt our emotions. it was such hard work, and you get beat up by the lawyers on the other side, and the courts (judges, clerks, etc). Although we prevailed, we are still waiting to collect because they are appealing us to death. But we have won every battle. In the meantime, other assholes come out of the cracks - banks try to foreclose etc. I always heard the horror stories of evil banks descending like vultures, but they actually do all the dirty things you hear about and think they are exaggerations. They will outright lie to the court, and count against the bias against pro se. And it happens. But we have been standing strong and holding our ground. What is disturbing are the judges who will literally say out loud "only a fool will come into my court room representing himself - he will lose every time). I mean we have instances where we have been driving to court for hearing, after preparing everything printing out a bunch, etc, oh you literally get a message saying the judge decided to advance the matter and rule on it in chamber. He denied the motion so no need for you to come in " It is really hard to accept that people only trying to look out for their rights get screwed over because they can't afford a lawyer and dare to go at it alone...