3. Small Claims Court

  WPM:

Occasionally, people in the United States get into conflict with other people who they may or may not know. It could be a result of a traffic accident, or a dispute over ownership of an item. The court system tries to get people to resolve their problems without bringing those problems into Small Claims Court, but that is not always possible. When two, or more people have a conflict they cannot resolve on their own, Small Claims Court may be a good option to explore.

Small Claims Court is a special court where disputes are resolved quickly and inexpensively. In this court, the rules are simplified and the hearing is informal. Attorneys are generally not allowed. The person who files the claim is called the plaintiff; the person against whom the claim is filed is called the defendant. Additionally, you do not need to be a U.S. citizen to file a suit in this court.

Here are some of the things individuals can file a suit for in Small Claims Court. If your former landlord refused to return a security deposit you paid, you can take him to Small Claims Court to get your money back. Another common suit is when a person causes a traffic accident and refuses to pay for the repair of the victim's car. In the U.S., the person who is at fault of the accident is almost always responsible to pay for the damages he or she caused. Another common Small Claims Court case comes when a person lends money to someone who refuses to pay it back. This is definitely something the court can help you with. These are just a few examples of what a person can sue for in Small Claims Court. For more information, visit the California Consumer Affairs website.




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