Trial Attorney's Secrets of How to Win in Small Claims Court

Going to small claims court is like being on Judge Judy without the possible embarrassment of being yelled at in front of a national TV audience. And, of course, most judges are not as theatrical as Judge Judy. Heck, they are seldom as theatrical as Judge Judy's bailiff! Shot entirely inside a small claims courtroom and narrated by a legal expert, this video explains every aspect of the court, including how to decide if you have a case, how to file papers, how to prepare for trial and how to collect on a settlement. As the video explains, small claims court was invented so that the law would not become an elitist institution. In theory, it allows ordinary people to represent themselves in civil, non-criminal matters with restricted settlement limits. Re-enactments of sample trials show what to do and what not to do in the courtroom. Finally, the video discusses how to file liens, levy bank accounts and garnish wages if the guilty party fails to make good on payment. The only weakness of the video may be that the laws in individual states vary widely, so a viewer needing specific information will still have to make a trip to the county courthouse to have questions answered. Still, this is a well-organized and useful video and my legal team advises me to highly recommend it, so I will. Aud: P. (R. Ray)