How Do Small Claims Court Cases Work?

Small claims court cases tackle proceedings that are below a certain pre-determined dollar amount (which is different for every State). Still, it does not mean that the documents you can gather are any less than what you would in other court cases.

Small claims court cases involve the settlement of criminal and civil disputes, the latter of which fall under a certain dollar amount depending on the location of the court where the case is being heard.

In Louisiana, for example, civil claims are considered “small claims” when they involve landlord vs. tenant disputes, contract, or personal injury cases amounting to $20,000 and below.

In North Dakota, on the other hand, the case has to involve less than $5,000 and should not be more than half a dozen years old to be heard in a small claims court. Traffic disputes often fall under the jurisdiction of small claims courts.

The history of the small claims court goes back to New York ca. 1960 when it was established in answer to the recommendations, in 1958, of the Tweed Commission regarding the state judicial system. By then, there was a dire need for a court where citizens could seek justice even without the services of lawyers.

Small Claims Court Cases - What Records They Generate