You can wear almost anything to small claims court . The judge does not care what you are wearing .
Be clear and concise when presenting your case; don't go off on tangents, don't insult the other party, don't bring up information or events that aren't directly related to the matter at hand. Rehearse presenting your case before you get into court. Listen to everything the judge says and answer clearly.
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.
This study answers two fundamental questions about small claims courts: (1) Who usually wins? (2) Do victors collect their judgments? The rate of victory for plaintiffs who file claims and appear in court is eighty-five percent. Of winning plaintiffs, fifty-five percent never collect any part of their judgments.
You need to answer three fundamental -- and fairly obvious -- questions as part of deciding whether it's worthwhile to bring a lawsuit to court: Do I have a good case? Am I comfortable with the idea of a compromise settlement or going to mediation? Assuming a lawsuit is my best or only option, can I collect if I win?
A losing party pays attorney fees only if the winner is specifically given the right to recover legal fees in a contract between the parties or through a state or federal law. Learn about preparing a defense in Disputing a Small Claims Court Case: Fight Back.
You do not need a lawyer to sue in Small Claims Court. But you may hire one, if you want. The other side may also hire a lawyer. The Court will not give you a lawyer.