Filing a Small Claim Lawsuit in Santa Clara County Law Essay (Essay Sample)

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Filing a Small Claim Lawsuit in Santa Clara County
Pursuing a legal claim is a stressful process, both financially and mentally. Furthermore, filing a civil suit in superior courts or federal courts can add extra complication making the process long. For claims that involve small amounts of money or damages, Small Claims Court is the best option. There are more than 4,000 small claims filed every day in Los Angeles alone, making these small claims courts an essential civil justice tool. These courts help ordinary citizens resolve disputes quickly and easily. Small claims courts have limited jurisdiction and are designed to hear civil cases between private parties. Their primary goal is to prevent overcrowding in a formal court system by dealing with relatively small matters in a less official forum. Furthermore, these courts have limited judgments. The maximum claim amount is generally set at $5,000 in most jurisdictions but may vary. These disputes include car accidents, contracts, consumer purchases, and suing state agencies. There are no lawyers involved in the litigation, and the civil procedure is simplified in small claims proceedings making the process less costly. Additionally, formal methods such as depositions are not allowed as well as trial by jury.