[dl1234]

I was recently assaulted and the person who assaulted me was arrested for second degree assault. The case however got dismissed at the Probable Cause Hearing due to her and her witnesses lying in court. I have incurred approximately $2700 in medical bills due to my injury of which most have not been paid yet. Once I found out the case was dismissed I went and filed a small claim against the defendant in order to try and get my medical bills paid.
Now this defendant had her criminal attorney file an appearance and now I am being counter-sued. (Defamation, false accusations, legal fees, witness payments, loss of wages due to her having to go to court, and pain and suffering. I find this outrageous but now her attorney has sent me a set of interrogatories with very invasive questions some of which are wanting information on my witnesses to the assault. They don't feel comfortable me providing this information to this defendants lawyer. Do I legally have to fill these out? If I have to legally, can I refuse to answer questions on what I don't feel are applicable to this case. It is not a trial but a mediation/counterclaim hearing. Do I need to now pay money for an attorney to represent me?

[AK lawyer]

Do I need to now pay money for an attorney to represent me?

You don't have to, but it would be a good advice to at least consult with one.

In general, you can't refuse to answer discovery merely because your witnesses "don't feel comfortable". The identity of witnesses is almost always discoverable. One thing an attorney in your jurisdiction could tell you is how much of this discovery you can object to.