Thursday, August 28, 2008

What's worse than a root canal??

How about spending all day in small claims court? That is how I spent my day yesterday and I would rather have gotten a root canal.
I have never been to small claims court before...thank goodness and I never want to go there again. In this case I really didn't have a choice I had someone that installed new tires and rims on my car and didn't have the sufficient number of lug nuts on it and the tire flew off while I was driving (in less than 24 hours after I picked it up) which caused damage to the tire, new rim, and car. Thank goodness no one was hurt, but it was frightening (the car was a Volkswagen Bug which sits about 6 inches off the ground). The owner kept saying he would do something to make it right but never came thru on paying the bills. This incident happened back in October and I gave him ample time to take care of it....but he never did. So unfortunately I had to take him to court.
I don't know if our local court is anything like anyone else's, but it certainly nothing like you see on tv (that's what I expected). The judge heard about 20 cases, and people were fighting over everything from rent issues to a neighbor that was "stealing" electricity. Two women were even argueing about egging a car...jeez. It probably would have been entertaining if I didn't have to be a participant.
When the judge first calls you up about your case, he asks if the two of you have attempted to resolve it, if not you are to go outside the courtroom in the hallway and discuss it (kinda like being sent to your room with your sister until you two can get along). Then you come back in, your case is moved to the bottom of the list, and when he comes back to you he hears the case. In most instances he makes a decision then and there....but in our case he wanted to do more review and will notify us of the outcome by mail.
After spending 5 hours in court yesterday I came home with a throbbing headache. I gotta hand it to the judge though.....I could never spend day after day listening to people bicker over (at times) very trivial garbage.
I have always been a non-confrontational person, that is probably why I have never been to court.......and I intend to stay that way...thank you very much.
Now I need to go take 2 more Motrin and take a nap.

5 comments:

Twisted Fencepost said...

Gee Whiz, what a day!
I'm nonconfrontational also. And it really ticks me off for someone to make me be confrontational.
Take a nap, relax and be greatful that you don't have to deal with that daily.

Anonymous said...

Oh Tammy, I'm so sorry. What a rotten day! I have been to small claims, and it's just no fun at all.

lanelle17 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Ahhh mom, you did great!!

krysta said...

small claims court stinks... sorry you had to go through that!