How to Win in Small Claims Court in California (Legal Survival Guides) [Paperback]

Royce Orleans Hurst (Author), Mark Warda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1998 | Series: Legal Survival Guides

Filing a small claims case allows you to have the court determine your legal rights in cases of up to $5,000. Designed to be more simple and 'do-it-yourself' than typical court cases, small claims court can still be very complicated unless you know the process and language of the courts. How to Win in Small Claims Court in California simplifies and thoroughly explains everything you need to know to successfully handle your own small claims case, whether you are the plaintiff or defendant. Complete with court terminology, step-by-step instructions and the forms you need, this book makes filing or defending suits in small claims court inexpensive and hassle-free. This book explains in simple language: Whether you have a valid case How to file your case Arguing your case Defending your case Settling your case Countersuing Rules of evidence Using expert witnesses Following rules of evidence Collecting your judgment Garnishing wages

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Royce Orleans Hurst, a member of the California Bar since 1979, maintains her law and mediation offices in Newport Beach and Fullerton, California. Her academic degrees include a B.A. with a major in sociology from Queens College of CUNY, an M.A. in American Studies from California State University in Los Angeles, and a J.D. from Western State University College of Law. A Certified Seminar Leader, she often holds workshops on legal issues for local colleges, community groups, parenting classes and the general public. Mark Warda received his B.A. from the University of Illinois in Chicago and his J.D. from the University of Illinois in Champaign. He practiced law in Clearwater, Florida, then gave up a busy practice to publish self-help law books. He has written or co-authored over forty self-help law books, including Landlords' Rights and Duties in California and How to Make a California Will.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sphinx Publishing Inc; 1st edition (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570713588
• ISBN-13: 978-1570713583
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,253 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #78 in Books > Law > Procedures & Litigation > Courts

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Beginner's Guide to Small Clams Court, May 15, 2007

By 

Sandor J. Woren "Freedom Fighter" (Glendale, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: How to Win in Small Claims Court in California, 2E (Paperback)

A generally well written book, although I have found certain rules (such as the $5,000 maximum) either incorrect or out of date. The Los Angeles Superior Court Website indicates the maximum for small claims as $7500. Chapters such as how to locate and properly name defedents, how to collect judgments, rules of evidence, etc., are generally unchanging, and thus an understanding of these is critical for the plaintiff and defendant, and usually don't go out of date. I would not rely of the included forms and instructions; instead obtain these directly from your local court house or download them from the court's website.

In general, a fairly well written "how to" book, although I would give it only an average rating.