Filing and Winning Small Claims For Dummies (eBook)

Hon. Philip S. Straniere was named an Acting Justice of the New York State Supreme Court in 2004 and is currently the Supervising Judge of Civil Court, Richmond County, New York. Prior to going on the bench he was in private practice for over 20 years.

Introduction 1

Part I: Making Your Big Problem a Small Claim 5

Chapter 1: Understanding the Ins and Outs of Small Claims Court
7

Chapter 2: Deciding if Your Case Belongs in Small Claims Court
15

Chapter 3: Evaluating Whether You Need a Lawyer 35

Chapter 4: Classifying Your Claim: Figuring Out What Kind of
Case You Have 47

Chapter 5: What's the Damage: Understanding Different
Types of Damages 67

Part II: Getting Ready to Go to Court 83

Chapter 6: Just the Facts, Jack: Gathering Your Information
85

Chapter 7: Dealing with the Clerk 95

Chapter 8: Informing the Defendant About the Case 103

Chapter 9: Looking at Your Options: Considering Alternatives to
Trial 119

Chapter 10: In Your Defense: Advice for the Defendant 129

Part III: Presenting Your Case in Court 139

Chapter 11: Mastering Courtroom Etiquette 141

Chapter 12: Providing the Proof You Need to Make Your Case
159

Chapter 13: Handling Live Witnesses Well 173

Chapter 14: Sounding Like a Lawyer in the Courtroom 193

Chapter 15: Understanding the Judge's Decision 211

Part IV: Dealing with Specific Problems 217

Chapter 16: Getting Hit Where You Live: Contract Cases Involving
Your Home 219

Chapter 17: Getting the Business: Suing over Business
Transactions 235

Chapter 18: Getting Personal: Suing Those Closest to You 251

Chapter 19: Pardon My French: Understanding Tort Cases 263

Chapter 20: Looking at Legal Issues in the Internet Age 275

Part V: Handling Post-Trial Issues 285

Chapter 21: Getting the Verdict and Collecting Your Judgment
287

Chapter 22: Appealing a Decision 299

Part VI: The Part of Tens 307

Chapter 23: Ten Ways to Improve Your Odds of Winning in Court
309

Chapter 24: Ten Blunders to Avoid 313

Glossary 317

Index 329