TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 1
BEFORE YOU FILE 2
JURISDICTION 3
VENUE (LOCATION) FOR FILING 4
PARTIES INVOLVED 5
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (TIME LIMIT) 6
SMALL CLAIMS PROCEDURE 7
FILING A SMALL CLAIMS CASE 7
COUNTERCLAIMS 7
JURY TRIAL 8
SETTLING YOUR CASE 8
CONTINUANCES 8
CHANGE OF JUDGE 9
REPRESENTATION AT THE TRIAL 9
TRIAL PROCEDURE 10
PREPARING FOR TRIAL 10
BURDEN OF PROOF 10
PLAINTIFF FAILS TO APPEAR 11
JUDGE’S DECISION (JUDGMENT) 11
VACATING A DEFAULT JUDGMENT 12
APPEALING YOUR CASE 12
COLLECTION OF A SMALL CLAIMS JUDGMENT 13
GARNISHMENT 14
WHAT ALL LANDLORDS AND TENANTS SHOULD KNOW 15
GLOSSARY 18