If You Want to Sue Someone in Small Claims Court
Small claims courts are used by people who want to collect a debt, to recover damages for a faulty product or for shoddy service, or for similar disputes. An individual cannot ask for more than $10,000 in a claim. Small claims courts are also used by businesses and government agencies (called “public entities”) that want to collect payments from customers for unpaid debts. Corporations and other entities (like, government entities) cannot ask for more than $5,000 in a claim. NOTE: If you are suing a guarantor, The person, business or government agency that files court papers first is called the "plaintiff," and is known as the plaintiff until there is a court judgment. The person, business or government agency that is being sued is known as the "defendant," and is known as the defendant throughout the case – regardless of whether or not they counter sued by filing a case against the plaintiff.
BEFORE DURING AFTER
To get the information you need, you can click on the section name that is in blue, use the “drop down” menu at the left side of each page, or you can click on the “Next” button at the bottom of some pages. To view some short videos with general information about how California's court system works, click here. To view a short video about the Basics of Small Claims Court, click here.
|
