Note: Information provided by the Community Alliance of Tenants is for general educational use only.  It is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Here are some tips:
One of the best ways for us to protect ourselves as tenants is to keep good documentation of everything related to the tenancy, so make sure to keep copies of any letters to or from your landlord about the issue and any other related written documentation.
Try to work things out before you start the court process: it is complicated and time-consuming, and the court will want to know that you’ve made a good effort to resolve the problem before going to court. 
The judge may have never been a renter, and may in fact be a landlord. So they might not really have a good understanding of the situations that we are forced into and might not have much sympathy for a tenant’s perspective.
Watch a few sessions of small claims court before you go. This way, you can get a sense for how the judges act and what the process looks like.  Keep in mind that many landlords have more experience in court than tenants do, and may already know how the system works very well.
Talk to an attorney.  While you can’t bring a lawyer with you to small claims court, you can talk to one ahead of time to get some tips on what to say and how to conduct yourself.  If you win, a lawyer can also tell you how to collect your judgment (any money you might win). 
Write out your statement/argument before you go to court and bring it with you, so you’ll know what to say and will remember everything.  Don’t forget to bring all your documentation, and any witnesses you might have.
You can find more information about how the court process works at the Oregon State Bar’s website.