The Superior Court of Contra Costa implemented its E-filing system in 2022. They selected Odyssey Case Manager from Tyler Technologies, a software solution in use by 29 of the 58 courts in the state.
Conclusion: Going to small claims court may be worth it for $500, but it will determine how you weigh your costs versus benefits. At a minimum, it is worth it to send a demand letter.
Small claims basics Generally, you can only sue for up to $12,500 in small claims court (or up to $6,250 if you're a business). You can ask a lawyer for advice before you go to court, but you can't have one with you in court.