Here's What You've Been Asking For

Dear Clients,

We realize that most of you do not make it a habit to sue in Small Claims Court. Taking 2-3 hours away from work (or play) to spend in Small Claims court is not quite as pleasing as a day at the Beach with your family. However, Leading up to your hearing date, many of you don't know what to expect. You may have some anxiety if you have never appeared in Small Claims Court. You've seen Judge Judy, but wonder if that is really what to expect. The article below will walk you through each step. Our hope is that you are more comfortable and feel more prepared in the days leading up to your hearing. Remember, most of our clients tell us that the whole experience was much easier that they had anticipated.

Just a reminder to those who do not know, we have added a Blog to our site. Please take a look!
Naturally, if you still have more questions, don't hesitate to call or email our office.

Regards,

Carl Vesper
President, Co-Founder
smallclaimsdepartment.com
carl@smallclaimsdepartment.com


Your Day in Court, A Complete Walk Through

Be there early! Look presentable

You've waited for this day for weeks or months. Therefore, do not be late! Plan to be there at least 15 minutes early. Plan for heavy traffic (especially if you have a morning hearing) and time to find parking. Bring extra money for parking and incidentals. Almost every court now will require you to go through a Security Screening machine. This extra security measure causes many courts to have long lines out the front door. Recently, I waited 45 minutes to get into the West Covina Courthouse in the morning.
In addition, please look presentable. A Judge may have a difficult time taking you seriously if you are wearing ripped jeans and a faded, dirty, paint spotted 1984 Lakers T-shirt. Remember, no shorts, flip-flops or Tank-Tops.

What Evidence to bring?

Remember, you can never bring too much evidence with you. However, be sure to organize the evidence in a "workable" manner. It's awfully nerve wracking shuffling through papers in front of the Judge. Oh Yes, what to bring? Here's a list of a few popular Small Claims cases that we often process:
For Automobile accidents: Photographs, repair estimates and/or paid invoice for repairs, Police Reports, any proof of communication (e-mails, texts, letters) that you have had with the other driver, owner or Insurance company.

For Security Deposit Refunds: Copy of Lease, photographs of condition of unit, copy of check paid for Security Deposit, Paid invoices of any work done on unit, copy of CCP code dealing with proper notice and time parameters of returning security deposit.

For Breach of Contract: Copy of contract, copy of invoices/statements for work completed, photographs of work completed, e-mail correspondence, text messages, letters, memorandums, sworn statements, copy of formal complaints made i.e. Better Business Bureau, Department of Automotive Repair, Contractors Board, Bar Association.

Add the following to your list. A simple itemization of how you arrived at the amount you are suing for. This can be simply written out on a piece of lined paper. One column showing the item and the other the amount. Add it up to match the amount suing for on the claim.

I did not include witnesses above. If you are bringing a "friendly" witness with you to court, be sure to inform him/her of the above dress standards. You also may want this witness to go through all of the evidence you are bringing to court. If you have subpoenaed a witness for your case, try to make contact with him/her before the cases start to be heard. You're smart to greet this person and thank him/her for making the appearance.

What Paperwork should you bring that smallclaimsdepartment.com has supplied you with?

1. Copy of Plaintiff's Claim and Order to go to Small Claims Court (SC-100).
2. Copy of filed Proof of Service. Just in case the original did not make its way to the court file.
3. Copy of your paid invoice. May need to show Judge so that our cost is added to your judgment.
4. Filled out Authorization To Appear form (SC-109). If you are appearing on behalf of a Corporation, Partnership, LLC, LLP, this form simply tells the Judge who you are, your title and what company you are appearing for.

Arriving to Court and Getting Settled

At this point, you've parked, gone through Security and are sitting outside the courtroom waiting for the Bailiff to open the courtroom doors. This is also a good time to get those last minute calls and/or texts and final gulp of Starbucks out of the way. Be sure to turn your cell phone off once you enter the courtroom. If you see the Defendant, be pleasant. A simple "good morning", is not going to concede your case. Yelling to the Defendant "You're going down!!" will typically not help your case. Sit back, relax and go over your evidence one more time.

Entering the Courtroom, Pre-Trial Procedures

The courtroom doors are normally opened at exactly the time your hearing is scheduled. If you do not speak English and have a translator, there will be a designated area for you. If you are in a wheelchair the Court Clerk will usher you to another designated area. Another 10-15 minutes later the Bailiff or Court Clerk will start to take "role". If you already have not seen the Defendant present or don't know what he/she looks like, this is the opportunity to see if the Defendant has appeared.
If your name is not called, you need to go see the Court Clerk. There could be a variety of reasons your name was not called. However, a typical reason is that the court does not show that a Proof of Service has been filed. If this happens to you, simply show the Clerk your conformed (stamped) copy of the Proof of Service that you have received from our office (or whomever you utilized to Serve).
After role call, the Bailiff or Court Clerk will brief the litigants on the procedure of the court.

The Clerk or Bailiff will then tell all litigants (in which both parties are present) to go out in the hallway for approximately 15 minutes and exchange evidence. This does not mean that you are obligated to give copies of this evidence to the opposing party. It simply means that you are required to show the other party what evidence that you are prepared to show the Judge. Again, be courteus and respectful to the opposing party. If the opposition is rude and accusatory, simply get up and go back into the courtroom.

You should also know that most courts make an attempt to have the parties either mediate or come to a settlement before the hearings start. You will be told that if your case is settled before the hearings start, your case will be processed before all others.

Just before the Clerk or Bailiff sends you out in the hallway, you will be told that a Mediator is present. If both parties agree to participate in the Mediation Program you will be shuffled into a room to see if both parties, with the help of the Mediator, can come to an amicable agreement (without having to argue before the Judge). You are not obligated to come to an agreement. If a deal is not made, your case will be heard before the Judge. As stated, if you do agree on a "deal", the details of the settlement will be brought to the Judge for his/her signature.

The Typical Order of Cases Heard

I've been in many courts before many Judges. However, there is a pattern as to the order of cases heard. Some Judges may change up the order. Therefore, the following is a typical order:

1. The Judge will first hear the cases where a settlement has been made; with or without the help of the Mediator. The Judge will typically read aloud the settlement and the parties will confirm the deal.
2. The next set of cases heard are those in which only one party is present. When the Defendant only is present,