Anyone won small claim court and the defendand cannot pay? What to do in such case?
485915
In a small claims court, you are limited on the things you can do.  One is try to put a lien on any of his property until he pays, or try to go back to court and liquidate his assests.  Another thing you can do is report to the credit bureau's that there is an unsatisfied judgement against him.  This will keep him in financial hurt for loans, credit (personal and business), renting, etc..  But you will have to renew the report every 6-12 months.  Also, you can see if you can get an garnishment against future employment.   That is about it.  Oh there is one other possibility, but not for sure it will work.  You can go to some of these collection companies and see if you can get them to try to collect for you but they cost lots of $$$$$.
739331
Pretty much what you see on Court TV will happen in small claims court.  Depending on your county, the small claims court judge will have a lot of experience and will know which direction to take the case upon hearing both sides.\n\nBe detailed, but not long winded.  I would even say to try to be as brief as possible, but don't leave anything out.  The judge may cut you off.  Don't worry if it happens.  Just stick to what you believe: that you need to get paid and tell the judge why.  Don't lie or try to hide anything.  If you think your side is correct, then you should tell it like it is.\n\nIf you have a few weeks until your 'trial' I might even suggest going to small claims court and sitting in on a few cases.  That might help you out with what to expect.\n\nGood luck.
207486
In California\nYou can't appeal if you were the one who filed the claim. If someone else files a claim against you and you lose, you can appeal.
912766
Their defense will be that you knowingly used their services.  By making a payment you agreed to the contractual agreements.  I don't think you will win this one with such a defense.  Sorry.
772339
"he who represents himself has a fool for a client"  Mark Twain.\n\nSmall claims court is easy to do without a lawyer.  If you are suing someone for more than the small claims allows, you SHOULD use a lawyer, as not knowing the procedures will no doubt be of substancial handicap.\n\nMost small claims have raised the amounts you can sue for in them.  I believe some are up to 10 thousand dollars.  You can do anything a lawyer can do, if you represent yourself.\n\nSmall claims is essentiall like "the peoples court".  You state your case in front of the judge, and the defendant has the chance to state their case.\n\nYou can file the lawsuit at the county courthouse, and all the forms are self explanatory, and the clerks can aid you in filling them out, as long as you don't request 'legal advice' from them.\n\nIt is fairly inexpensive, usually around 50 dollars to file, and if you win, you get it back from the person you sued.  You will also have to "serve" the defendant.  You don't do this yourself, you pay an 'officer of the court' or the sherrifs office to do this.  It costs around 35-50 dollars.
523606
STOP! before retaining an attorney $$$, consider contacting the business and informing them of the incident and request the name of their ins. provider. Often they make reasonable offers. (in this case doc bill plus $1000)\n\nOnly if they refuse and your injuries/damages exceed your states max. small claims award by $1000 should you even consider discussing the matter with an attorney. \n\nUnless you were injured and treated professionally (have a bill) your case is weak. Damages for pain and suffering with this type of occurance will be aprox. $1000 unless you can prove the incident was the result of negligence or malice. \n\nIf you hire an attorney it is likely there won't be enough money left to pay the bill for your care.
1144890
Hey icemike.  Sad but ramrod may be right.  I had to take a former co-worker/friend to small claims court.  First you have to go to the closest district court (probably to where the modeling agency is in this case or maybe to your house) and fill out some forms (need to explain the issue, need to know the address/phone number etc of the modeling agency,etc) and pay a filing fee (it may be around $70 and the defendant is forced to pay this back to you if you win the case).  My case was a couple of months after I filed and the defendant never showed up so I automatically won the case.  Tried having their wages garnished but they quickly quit their job.  Next I tried to have any bank savings seized but you needed to know where they banked (luckily I did but they didn't have any cash).  Then I went back to the court to seize any property (car/real estate/etc) that the person owned but the court could find nothing (car was leased, house was in exes name,etc.).  Each step I took was @$75 more and a year later I still haven't collected anything of the $3,000 verdict (the max in Michigan small claims-defendant actually owed $5,000 but I didn't want to bother with lawyers and a longer court process) plus the increased costs of each attempt to collect(technically the defendant will have to pay all these fees too). Basically, the defendant skipped town and it has become my responsibility to track defendant down (believe me the court has been absolutely no help); I have 20 years or more to collect (plus interest is supposedly accumulating on the amount owed) but right now I don't see that happening.  You may want to go file a complaint with a government agency like the Better Business Bureau instead.  Another thing is to look at the contract, it may not say any jobs are guaranteed and, in that case, your friend is probably screwed; I know recently a "modeling agency" notified me to come work for them as a "scout" where basically people paid you to register them as models but no work was ever guaranteed for these people; it sure sounded like the "agency" was scamming both the "models" and "scouts" because the agency took a good cut of the money and probably left the scout with all the legal liabilty.  The only other option I can suggest is to go to the modeling agency, if they actually have an office nearby, and tell them you are going to protest/picket(I'd check with the police or someone first to see how to do it legally) and or possibly put an ad in the paper(s) explaining your dealings with them to the public(I'd see a lawyer or someone before doing it though to make sure you can't be sued for slander).  Perhaps the possible negative press/scaring away of further "customers" will be enough for them to give you your money back. Good luck!
73120
You cannot file small claims court papers online. Contact your local (probably called circuit) court for the filing process.
1115582
How much were your belonging worth? Do you have any proof, e.g., receipts, etc.? Not any attorney, but doubt you could sue for more than actual damages and court costs. Have you contacted the owner or insurance company.
73901
There is no way to "beat" the case now that you have already lost it.  It can be appealed, but that would cost more than paying it.  The best thing you can do is reach an agreement about paying off the judgment against you.  You are bound to pay off the judgment (I presume the court found you owed money and didn't order particular steps about how you should repay) but it can be hard to actually collect, and most people eventually agree to payment schedules rather than trying to force total immediate payment.
997850
call any lawyer in the phone book.  Most could handle the job.  Yes, you have a right to sue.  You might want to check into the process of "small claims court".  I don't believe you'll need a lawyer then -- it's a more relaxed court (you just tell your side of the story to the judge).
649632
take them to small claims court
374982
i think you have to go to a small claims company that will take your client to court with a ruling (wether they attend or not) there is one problem if they have filed for bancrupcy off there own back that means i think they can keep things like cars and if they have made everything out to be in a secound partys name a recovery company cannot take this stuff....they are aloud to keep a car because it might be there only mode of transport....plus depending on what you are claiming for other things like taxes come out first so u may not be able to claim for anything u need to go to a small claims recovery company
1093696
call a lawyer and explain the situation with proof..I'm sure you can sue them !
197760
More info? Small claims, civil suit, jury involved...?
153487
If you are referring to small claims court, you would only lose the amount you paid to the court for filing the suit.  However, if the other party sues you at the same time and you lose the case, you will be liable for that amount as well.
1068191
It can't be handled in one trial.  Theft is criminal, and malicious prosecution and breach of contract are civil.  The DA won't touch them.  If you don't have a lawyer to bargain with the DA, then your best bet is to sit tight, gather your evidence, and defend yourself at the criminal trial.  If the DA wins, your case may be sunk; but if the DA loses you will be in a better position to sue the witness whom you believe lied.  You can sue in civil court, and you might be able to sue in Small Claims without a lawyer.