For $71.00 you can be your own lawyer for disputes up to $3,000. Often the problem is not winning the judgment, it's actually collecting against the deadbeat that owes you. Small Claims Court is a division of the Franklin County Municipal Court, 275 S. High St. People who have disagreements are heard about a month after they file the case... very fast by court standards. Magistrates-lawyers appointed by judges- hear the cases informally. They urge settlements, but if that is not possible they hold a trial. Each side presents its argument and a decision is mailed to the litigants. The judgment does not guarantee payment, however. There is a yellow book published by the court, it details how to garnish wages, how to call the losing party back to court to find out about their assets, and other tips to get the money. BEWARE: If one side decides to hire an attorney, that lawyer can easily transfer the case to the main Municipal Court, where a hearing takes six months. Sometimes they can even crossclaim against the original complainant because the dollar limit in the main Municipal Court is $15,000.
SAL member Jim Crowley is also legal counsel for out post. The information provided is not an attempt fo solicit business, but to inform members on legal matters. But if you should have legal questions of need legal advice, you can contact Jim through the information below. Jim will usually get back to you within 24 hours the next business day, unless it is an emergency, in such case it would be sooner.
E-mail: jcrowconsult@gmail.com
Office Ph. 614-876-7511
Direct Ph. 614-638-7386
Fax .........614-876-4347
Crowley Law Offices
655 Metro Place South
Metro V, Suite 600
Duvlin, Ohio 43017-3394
