If you take your landlord/apartments to court, do you first have to pay what you owe them?

so my apartments charged me for painting, and a carpet cleaning fee, AND a cleaning fee. i have pics showing there is no need to repaint, outside of normal wear and tear. and they keep on saying they are still charging me. when i ask why they are charging me, they keep saying the apt needed it, but wont tell me why, they just say it needed it. so if i still owe partial rent, which i am responsible for, do i have to pay the whole balance, and then take them to court? or can i take them to court, to where they dont charge me for the paint? any info will help, or links.