In small claims court, determining whether a transfer of property or money constitutes a gift or a loan depends on the parties' intent at the time of transfer, which is evidenced by their conduct and communications. When a party accepts a replacement item in satisfaction of a debt, the original debt is typically considered satisfied, and the replacement item becomes the new obligation. Courts examine whether there was an expectation of repayment, whether the parties discussed repayment, and whether the parties continued to treat the property as a loan or as a gift.
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Judge Judy full episode. I Don't Want To Hear It!. Amazing case 👌👍👍. Episode number 8889.Ajouté :
Number 276 on the count in a matter of Fabian versus Incas. Why has it been sworn in? Judge, you may be seated.
>> Miss Fabian, according to your complaint, you and the defendant dated for a long period of time and you did what I've always admonished people not to do, which is loan money.
>> Yes.
>> And you made two loans to the defendant according to your complaint totaling about $5,000. Correct. Is that right?
>> Yes.
>> He repaid some of the loans.
>> That is correct. He paid back 1,600 >> and >> that was 2,000. I'm sorry.
>> Just one second.
>> 2,000.
>> Good. Good to according to you, he paid back 1,600. He says it was $2,000 he paid back and that the rest of the money was a gift from you for some reason that he will explain to me. And he also did a lot of work around your house. So, we'll get to it. When did you make the first loan and what was it for? Uh the first check was for $3,000 on November 12th of 99 and December 17th of 99 I gave him another check for 2,000 and both of them were a loan. And I have copies of the checks here.
>> I'd like to see them, please.
>> What did he need the money for?
>> He had a business at the time and he was unable to pay his bills. He owed money to the government for taxes that he didn't pay.
>> It's not made out to him.
>> It's made out to his business.
>> What kind of business were you in? It was a food delivery service.
>> When did he make the first payments to repay this loan?
>> On September 22nd, 2000.
And I have copies of all the checks.
>> I'd like to see the checks, please.
>> That was uh August 25th, 2000. Your honor, >> I assume you have a check.
>> Yeah, I have one check that she does not for $400.
>> I'd like to see it.
And the money I did receive from him, I had a difficult time getting. I had to keep calling him up.
>> Just a minute. I have a check here, $400 that you don't list.
>> Would you show this to her?
>> Okay, it's clear. You both agree now. He repaid $2,000, leaving a balance of $3,000, right?
>> Correct.
>> Yes.
>> Go.
Well, first of all, your honor, this whole lawsuit is a joke. She's doing this out of revenge.
>> Listen to me. Not interested. Start from I stopped paying back the loan because >> I stopped paying back the loan because I already paid her everything that I owed her.
>> Explain it to me.
>> The first $3,000 check that you see was a loan for taxes that I owed. After she had received the settlement for a different case, we had been broken up at the time. She called me up and it was more like a bribe to get back with me.
>> Your honor, he's lying.
>> She had been trying to get back together with me.
>> Are you talking about the $3,000 loan was a loan? According to >> That was a loan. Yeah.
>> Let's start with that. The $3,000 loan was a loan. You acknowledge it was a loan, which means there's still $1,000 outstanding on that amount.
>> Exactly. I did $1,000 worth of work on her porch.
>> Explain that to me. I had been working on her porch for three months and she mentioned to me verbally.
>> When did you work?
>> This was in November 99.
>> Yes.
>> Because of the work I had been doing. I had just closed my business. I did not get a job at the time because I was helping her. She told me that I could I did not have to pay her $1,000 out of the 3,000 that I owed her.
>> I never said that, your honor.
>> Cuz you were fixing up.
>> Yeah.
>> Can I say it was it was 3 months worth of work. It's it's a whole remodeling job.
>> Did you live there at all?
>> I would stay there. I did not techn I did another >> I didn't ask you what technically technically technically that has to do with the IRS.
>> I'm asking you whether you stay there.
>> I would stay there once in a while.
>> Not once in a while. More often than once in a while.
>> I would live there and at my parents house.
>> And at your parents house where you paid no rent?
>> No, I paid rent there.
>> Can I say something?
>> So just in a second. I'm not finished with them yet. So you're staying at her house where you weren't paying rent, right? using her telephone, lighting your reading by her electricity, and fixing her porch.
>> Yeah, correct.
>> And not working anywhere else.
>> Correct.
>> So, you had no more.
>> There was a reason why it didn't work, your honor.
>> And why is that?
>> Because she wouldn't let me.
>> Wouldn't just wouldn't let you.
>> She wouldn't let me.
>> Wouldn't let you. What did she threaten to do to you if you went to work?
>> She tell me. I'm serious. Don't laugh, please. I want to know what she threatened to do to you if you got a job.
It was more like an emotional type of thing, you know what I mean? I was >> an emotional thing. Was she working?
>> Uh, at the time she was not.
>> How was she supporting herself?
>> Through a a large sum of money she had received through a different law.
>> So, she wasn't working either. So, the two of you were staying home playing house together.
>> Basically.
>> Basically.
>> I was working, your honor.
>> Of course you were.
>> Um, okay. So, you fixed the porch and for that you won $1,000 credit. Now, tell me about the other $2,000 that she gave you four weeks later.
After I was not working, I decided that I need a good job because the Christmas holidays were coming up. She told me that she did not want me to work. She had a problem with me hanging around friends. She wanted to keep me to herself in the house, hanging out with her.
>> That's a lie.
>> Just a minute. Go ahead.
>> And out of stupidity, I know that now I would go along with it.
>> So, >> but I didn't realize this until I got >> So, I I guess she wanted that you hanging around with her. I still haven't heard anything about $2,000. Oh, she she g she told me that because I wanted to get a job, she was going to give me $2,000 in order to keep me from not working.
>> And that was at a time. Just a second.
And you just told me that your business folded in November.
>> Correct.
>> Right. So you had no more business.
>> Correct.
>> Well, then can you explain to me why, sir, the check that she wrote December 17th, 99 is made out to the same corporation that the check of November 12th was made out to, Doorway Gourmet.
>> Yes. because I still had my checking account for Dory Gourmet open because I I still owed money to the Florida state tax.
>> Right. That's true.
>> Right. So the money was not so that according to you it was Christmas time and you had to buy presents and that's why you had to go back to work. Stop shuffling, sir. Much smarter than you are on your best day. You're not as smart as I am on my worst day.
So let me recap what you just told me.
Mhm.
>> You told me that she gave you the other $2,000 because it was coming up to Christmas time. You wanted to get a job because I assume you wanted to buy presents and things for your family.
>> Correct.
>> And so she said to you, "Don't go to work. I'm going to give you $2,000 so that you'll have spending money for Christmas." Then it turns out that the check was made out to the defunct corporation that was no longer in business. And then you told me it was because you needed it to pay Florida state taxes from the business. Right. Is that what you told me?
>> That's correct.
>> Do those two stories make they sort of go like this to you that they don't make sense? Huh? You wanted to give the Florida State Tax Board a Christmas present. Is that what you're telling me?
>> No. I would have get a life.
>> Real cases, real people. Judge Judy.
Carrie Fabian says ex-boyfriend Mario Encus refuses to repay a loan and refuses to turn over an intimate videape. Okay.
>> Can I say something, your honor?
>> What?
>> Um, >> I don't and I don't like stupid women.
Stupid women give money away.
>> You're right. I've learned.
>> Okay.
>> I've learned. Believe me.
>> Okay.
>> You know, if you're married to somebody, it's one thing. Even if you're married, you don't give money away. But if you got a boyfriend, a boyfriend who can't keep a business straight, straight enough to pay taxes from the business, you don't give them money.
Well, you know, at the time we were going out for three years and he told me he'd pay me back and I trusted him. I realize now never to do that again.
>> Okay. Well, he owes you the money.
>> He did lie about he said that he didn't live with me. If you'll look at the checks, you'll even notice it's my same address.
>> Um, and also he has a private videotape that we made together and he told me that he has it and he's taunted me about it and I would like it back so I can destroy it.
>> That's a lie. I did not taunt anybody about that. Do you have a video that she would like to have back?
>> No, your honor.
>> Where is it?
>> It's been misplaced there. It's either been taped over or misplaced.
>> I did honestly look for it because I have no reason to keep that.
>> Miss Fabian comes under the category of life's lessons. I assume this video that you have has both of you on it or just you has both of you on it. So that it's neither yours nor his. It's something that belongs to both of you, right? So, you would like it back because you don't want this potentially damaging thing >> correct >> around. Well, I can't force him to give it back to you because it's not yours.
>> Do you understand?
>> Yes.
>> He says he doesn't have it anymore. I have to rely on the fact that he is not total scoundrel and would not do anything to embarrass you because if he does anything to embarrass you, ultimately he's embarrassing and debasing himself. Do you understand?
>> Yes, sir.
>> Judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $3,000. Thank you, your honor.
>> Others are excused. You may step out.
>> Judge Judy seen the truth and she seen through his lies.
>> Revenge because I broke up with him.
>> I was the one that broke up with him.
>> And now the next case.
>> All parties in the matter of Trudeell versus Boyd. Step forward, please.
>> 38-year-old salesperson Lorie Trudeell is suing her ex- roommate, 45-year-old hair stylist Kathleen Boyd, for the return of her belongings. Kathleen is counter suing for unpaid rent, storage fees, and damage to her home.
>> According to your complaint, there came a time when you and your son moved into her home. When did you move in with her?
>> In September of the year 2000.
>> And then it is your claim that she threw you out of the house, had you thrown out of the house sometime in January of 2001 under circumstances that prevented you, for some reason, from obtaining all of your property. The defendant says that you really abandon that property. You did in fact show up at her house some eight and a half months later and loaded up a couple of truckloads of stuff. She wants to be reimbursed for rent that she says you never paid her and for what she believes would be a fair storage fee for storing the stuff that she did in fact store over that 8 and 1/2 month period.
Is that right?
>> That's correct, your honor.
>> Okay. You moved in in September of 2000.
Under what circumstances did you leave in January of 2001?
>> She had me removed by two undercover police officers and five days later I was given an order of protection saying I could not go back to her home.
>> Excuse me, your honor.
>> Yes.
>> She was removed by the sheriff's detectives because she had used my car to commit two felonies.
>> When was that?
>> On December 8th. She took my car and drove to the home of an ex-boyfriend of hers and broke in.
>> How do you know that?
>> She told me she was going to do it.
Because he had money and she she owed me money for rent and she was going to try to pay me with money that he had stored in a beer ball. How do you know she did in fact commit that burglary?
>> When I got up in the morning, my car was gone. I said to myself, "Oh no, Lori never got up that and took off with my car before in the morning." Sure enough, she showed up and she was dragging bags full of money. Change >> change.
>> And um >> did you have a discussion with her about the change?
>> She said she was going to take it to the bank and cash it in.
>> Now, did there come a time that the police came to your house?
>> Yes, on January 11th. And um they wanted to question me about the incident in December. They told me I wasn't in any trouble. She had been spotted in the car that morning on her own without >> Did you show them where the change was stored or had the change already been cashed? change had already been cashed.
>> Did she give you the money from the change?
>> She gave me some money from the change.
>> And the money that she gave you from the change was for money that she owed you from rent.
>> Rent and all sorts of different things.
>> How much did she give you?
>> $200.
>> Were you arrested for burglary on the 11th of January?
>> Yes, your honor. I was >> the disposition of that case.
>> All charges have been dropped and I have a conditional discharge for a year. The thing >> No, all charges weren't dropped. if you have a condition discharge.
>> I'm sorry. The thing was is I did use Kathleen's car. Kathleen asked me to do this. I gave her all of the money and there was some jewelry that I did take from there that Kathleen wanted to keep.
Um I was upset because it was my boyfriend's gifts to another woman and he has forgiven me and everything's over with.
>> Okay. And it was at that time that you got a protective order. Is that right?
>> Yes. because I'd like to see a copy of the protective order.
>> This protective order doesn't say anything about you being able to leave your property at her house for 8 and 1/2 months.
>> Oh, I realize that, your honor. I tried for months I tried for months for a third party to get a hold of her to get my belongings and she would not allow it. This is uh my brother-in-law to be Patrick O'Harn. He called her. He wrote her letters. Um she said yes, he could go get my belongings and then she changed her mind. She would call him day and night.
>> She's lying.
>> Let's step up. Sh just a second.
>> When did you make telephone calls to the defendant in order to try to obtain her property? When was the first telephone call you made to her?
>> Uh, it was about the middle of July.
>> July?
>> Yes.
>> Was the first time you contacted her?
>> Yes.
>> She is now required to keep your property for 6 months.
>> I realized I >> Why didn't you go to court in February for the return of your property?
>> I did not know that that was an option when when I was given the order of protection. Rita, >> the judge's secretary said, "Lori, as soon as you get a place to live, Kathleen will give you your belongings and she will keep them safe."
>> Your honor, >> the judge's secretary, Rita, told you, "Don't worry. As soon as you find a place to live, she'll give you back your property."
>> When she issued when they issued the order, >> that's not an agreement with the defendant. When did you finally find a place to live?
>> I was in a shelter for about two months.
>> Yes.
>> April. Beginning of April. Well, what effort >> mother was trying to make phone calls with her?
>> No, he didn't start calling till the summer time. 6 months later.
>> Brother, my fiance.
>> No, just a minute. That person that called. Excuse me.
>> That person's not here. In any event, Mr. Dell, she is under absolutely no obligation to safeguard your property for 6 months or 8 months while you find a place to live. And that is irrespective of what Miss Rita had to say. Miss Rita cannot make a contract with her. And you had no agreement with her. You did in fact get some of your stuff back. Is that right?
>> Mostly ruined. Yes, your honor.
>> Well, she is not responsible for storing your property. If you had an order of protection that was issued, then what you do is the very next day. You go into small claims court and you sue her for the property. But you don't wait 9 months to do that.
>> I wanted to wait, your honor, until this case was closed and the judge told me I could go get my belongings.
>> You mean until the burglary case was closed? That may be, but she is not a party to that. Now, I'll see what piece of paper. You may have a piece of paper that sheds some additional light on.
>> I did have her served by the sheriff's department.
>> Can I Can I see the paper?
>> Sure.
Well, she wrote you this letter and it was notorized in March and it was served on you and she tells you to come and get your stuff.
>> Yes, your honor.
>> But you didn't.
>> That was when the third party cuz I couldn't contact her directly because of the order of protection. That was when my fiance the third party first. He wasn't in the picture at that first.
>> He's not here. Mr. Whatever stuff that you got, I would suggest you be happy with it because >> that's all you're going to get from the defendant. You can't make an arrangement with a third party, a judge's secretary who says, "I never heard of that. Just go as soon as you find a nice place to live, you can go and get your property back and she's going to store belongings safe."
>> Well, then I would sue her. Who said they would keep your belongings safe?
Rita.
>> Rita told me Kathleen told her Rita said she would keep your belongings safe.
Rita said that to you. So sue Rita.
>> Sue Rita. It's ridiculous.
Now, I'm going to get to your claim of rent, storage fees, and damage to the home, Miss Boyd. And let me explain to you why you're going to get nothing.
Because based upon your own testimony, you were in receipt of stolen property.
Based on your testimony, you knew where she got this change from. You knew she had stolen it from somebody else's home.
And I'm quite frankly astonished that the police didn't pursue that matter, but that's up to the police. In any event, you got whatever money you're going to get. Goodbye.
>> Then the matter of Brody versus Kenix Connect. Pies have been sworn in. Judge, you may be seated. Ladies, have seats, please.
>> Mr. Brody, you went over to a friend's house to visit. You pulled your car into your friend's driveway, right?
>> That's correct.
>> The defendant also lives in the house.
She arrived sometime later. It is your claim that she pulled her car right up to the bumper of your car. Gave it a little bit of a nudge. Nudge. Nudge. No.
Nudge. Thank you. Nudge is what I am.
>> No. No. No. N.
>> Oh, nudge is what you are.
>> Nudge. Nudge. And she damaged the back end of your car.
>> Yeah. The rear bumper.
>> The rear bumper of your car. You wanted to pay the damage. When did this happen?
>> Uh, it was June 2nd.
>> What time did you arrive at your friend's house? about 6:00 or 7:00 p.m.
after dinner. We'd gone out to pick up dinner.
>> And was yours the only car parked in the driveway?
>> Uh, when I parked the car, yes, it was.
>> When did you see any damage to the car?
>> We came outside about 11:00. What happened is that she had come home while we were inside obviously, and we went outside, the witness and I, and one of the roommates who had her keys. At this house, the parking is a very difficult situation. So, all of the roommates leave their keys downstairs, and everyone has permission to move each other's cars. So, we went outside and >> because you wanted to leave.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Go ahead.
>> So, when we got outside, I saw that the cars were parked in very close proximity. Her front bumper was touching my rear bumper and it was dark out. Uh, so I had him move her car back and shine her headlights on my rear bumper. And as he backed up, I saw scratches and chips on my bumper that hadn't been there before line up with her metal license plate as he backed off.
>> What kind of car did you have?
>> I drive a Volvo S70.
>> And what kind of car does she drive? a Ford Explorer.
>> Big car.
>> Big car.
>> Did you speak to her about it?
>> Yes. We went inside and one of the roommates got her from upstairs. She came downstairs and I asked her if she knew if she may have touched my car and she said indeed she had. She had tried to move it forward a couple feet.
>> Ludicrous. I don't want to hear you yet.
I'm sorry.
>> She tried to move it forward a couple feet because she was sick of getting tickets for having her car hanging over the edge of the driveway because it's the city's property and you can get tickets for that. And uh she also said that she thought that people did that all the time and she thought she could move it because her car was an SUV and mine wasn't. So she didn't think it would be a problem. And I told her that there was damage on my car that hadn't been there before. And I expected her to pay for it. She said that was okay. She apologized. She asked me if I knew how much it was going to be. I told her that I didn't, but I thought it would probably be a couple hundred. I offered to let her go outside and look at the damage. She declined to do that. I told her that I'd call her with an estimate.
She said that was fine. gave me her phone number and I left.
>> And did you call her with an estimate?
>> I called her 11 days later with an estimate for $37, which I have right here.
>> Why didn't you go outside and look at the car?
>> First of all, he had never asked >> No, just a second.
>> I asked you a question. My question to you is, why didn't you go outside to look at the car?
>> Well, there's a problem with that statement, and that is that he never asked me to go out and look at the car.
Did he tell you that he believed that your car had caused damage to his?
>> No. All he said was that, you know, I noticed the cars were very close. If there should be a problem, can I give you a call? And I said, absolutely.
Here's my phone number. I knew that there wasn't any damage done cuz I knew I hadn't hit his car. I expected to hear from him if there was a problem. One day, 2day, 3 day, 5 days later, no call.
I assumed there was nothing wrong and that I was indeed correct that I hadn't damaged his car. That doesn't answer my question.
>> Clearly, when he came inside and spoke to you, you had some indication that he believed that there might be some damage to the car. Clearly, because you just told me you waited 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days. So, an intelligent person would say, "Well, let's go outside with some flashlights and take a look at it right now and see if in fact there was any damage." So, I'm going to repeat my question. Why didn't you at that point go outside and take a look at the car?
>> Because he didn't say there was any risk of damage and so I didn't think.
>> So you just gave me your phone number because you thought he wanted your phone number.
>> Well, you know, he is kind of cute. You never know. Maybe we can go on a date.
I'm kidding. And >> I'm not judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $37. That's all.
>> Parties are excused. You may step out.
Well, I just like to give a shout out to my Etown girls, all my um missish girls, six BART and K13 family. Mwah.
>> Well, I think uh Judge Judy's big line is uh beauty fades but dumbest forever.
And uh as soon as her beauty fades, I think she'll just be dumb forever.
>> And now the next case.
>> All parties on Hugin Merrell versus Leugan. Step forward. 46-year-old nurse Michelle Morurell and her daughter, 16-year-old Jessica Huggin, are suing Jessica's former friend, 18-year-old student Anne Leugan, for keying her car at school.
>> What is your name?
>> Michelle Merl.
>> How are you related to her?
>> I'm her mother.
>> And this was your car that was involved.
>> It's her car, but I'm the registered owner of it, but it's her car.
>> That's why you're here.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. But you had nothing to do with this case. You didn't see anything. You weren't there?
>> No.
>> Good. Have a seat. According to your complaint, the defendant used to be a friend of yours. She's no longer a friend of yours. You started dating a boy that used to be her boyfriend.
>> Yes.
>> Is that right?
>> That's correct.
>> And according to you, that's when the trouble started between the two of you and the defendant keyed your car. And this was at the school parking lot.
>> Yes.
>> So tell me what happened on that day.
Um, I went to the school to pick up a friend and um, she had decided to go with someone else and so I was getting ready to leave and I saw Ann's car at the end of the parking lot and I did not want another incident like the first one that had happened and so I turned around and went back to the school and I got out of my car and I saw Anne following me into the school and so I just kept walking and she's behind me saying that I'm going to knock your teeth out. And so I just kept walking into the school and I went into the office and I saw Ann and her sister walk by the office, look at me and then they turned back around and went outside of the school. I was on the phone with my mom at that time and then I went to the windows and I had saw Ann and her sister walk by the driver's side of my car and then that's it.
>> That's what you saw?
>> Yeah.
>> There came a time when you went back outside to your car >> when my mom and her friend had shown up at the school. So you waited inside until they came.
>> Yeah.
>> And the reason you called your mother was to sort of escort you out of the school.
>> Yeah.
>> Because you were afraid of a confrontation with her.
>> Yeah.
>> And describe what you saw when you went to your car.
>> My mom's friend actually had noticed the side of the car.
>> Don't tell me what anybody else noticed.
Tell me what you saw.
>> I saw that the whole entire side of my driver's side had been keyed from the front of the car to the end of the car.
>> Real cases, real people. Judge Judy.
16-year-old Jessica Huggin says former friend, 18-year-old Anne Leuggan, keyed her car and is denying the charge. Let me see the photographs, which I'm sure you have.
>> Okay, I'll hear you.
>> I just know that I picked up my sister once after I had my baby. My baby was maybe I think two weeks old. Um I went there to pick up my sister. She was with my te my former teacher and Josh, my fiance, was on his way with my son. He's a witness to what happened. And me and my sister, we just went back into the school to show my former teacher the baby. I walked back over to Josh's car and I left. And I never even keyed her car. She doesn't even go to school there. She goes to an alternative school. And I would never key her car. I didn't even know what she drove when I stopped being friends with her. Um, she was only 15 years old. Do >> you have any witnesses who were there?
>> Yeah, my fianceé.
>> Step up. Tell me your last name.
>> Uh, Caps. Joshua Caps.
>> You are the father of her child?
>> Yes, I am.
>> What time did you arrive at the school that day?
>> Um, no later than after an showed up.
She was outside and I saw her sister talking to her former teacher.
>> Approximately what time?
>> Um, like 2:36.
So before you arrived, you don't know what she was doing.
>> No.
>> So she was there alone with her sister.
>> Yeah. And Mrs. which was the teacher >> outside when you saw her.
>> Yeah.
>> And after you saw her, you showed Mrs. the baby.
>> Um Ann and her sister came up to me right when I parked in the parking lot.
They told me that they were going to run inside and show Mrs. her son and they went inside and came right back out.
>> When you arrived, the girls had already parked their car. Yeah.
>> And was standing outside the school.
>> Yes.
>> She came up to you in the parking lot >> and and her sister did. Yes.
>> Took the baby and went back inside.
>> Yes.
>> Then came outside.
>> Mhm.
>> Did you wait for her?
>> Yeah.
>> Did she leave with you or with her sister?
>> She took her car and she took her sister. She was there to pick up her sister and I followed them.
>> So she drove alone to the school if she was there to pick up her sister.
>> Yeah. Why do you think that she would make up this story about seeing you going over near her car?
>> Because she's mad. Because um I just stopped being friends with her. And >> yeah, but her car got keyed.
>> There was a lot of people at that school that didn't like her, which is why she went she decided to drop out of that school and go to the alternative because um she didn't get along with a lot of people.
>> She wasn't there that long. She wasn't that long that day.
>> I don't know how long she was there.
>> Well, she didn't go to school there. She wasn't there for the whole day. Well, I went to pick up my sister.
>> Talking about her. Step up, please.
>> Did you see the car that morning?
>> Yes, I saw the car the whole day until Jesse went to school to pick up her friend.
>> When you say you saw the car the whole day, she left from your house to go to the school to pick up her friend.
>> Yes. And that's about maybe 3 miles for at the most.
>> But you had seen the car?
>> Yes.
>> No question in your mind. No question in my mind whatsoever.
>> There was no damage to the car when she left.
>> No, your honor.
>> Yes.
>> I'm not sure if this is the time to bring this up. We also, you were talking about Jessica being afraid and that's why she went back in the school. We have an anti-harassment order against an for protection and I have a copy of that if you want to see that.
This is the one that we also have um since she's gotten her restraining order, she has been in my work asking for my new address and I have affidavit of people that I work with.
>> And this is the uh the court copy that was actually granted.
>> And Jessica had a baby on the 21st of June and was in the hospital for she was released on Saturday and then she was home. So, I'm not sure.
>> I have affidavit of two. I have >> I don't read affidavit.
>> What?
>> I don't read affidavit.
>> Okay. Well, I I have them.
>> Okay. Whether you have them or not. I hear witnesses.
>> You attended a court hearing?
>> Yes, we did.
>> Was there a full hearing?
>> Yes.
>> There was testimony taken.
>> Is that right? And after the testimony is taken, there was a protective order issued. Is that right?
>> Yes.
>> Do you have a lawyer? I work full-time and I'm a full-time college student and I had to pay my rent. I can't afford a lawyer.
>> Mhm.
>> Okay. Well, the court made specific findings after a hearing. The testimony with regard to the application for the protective order dealt with two incidents. First incident which we have not gone into today which involves a stalking threatening kind of incident and then the second incident was which after which involved the school. The court heard the testimony of all witnesses. How many witnesses were there aside from both of you? Any other witnesses?
>> Um, him, my fiance, my mom, and my sister.
>> The court found that the current contact between the parties was initiated by the respondent only. That's you. That the respondent's course of conduct appears to be designed to alarm, annoy, and harass the petitioner. That was her.
Contact by the respondent with the petitioner or the petitioner's family has not been limited in any manner by previous court order, which means there was no prior restraining order, and the court ordered you to remain from making any attempts to contact her, going within two city blocks of her residence or workplace.
>> She doesn't work.
>> Well, evidently, the court didn't believe your fiance or your sister.
>> Judge Judy continues in a moment. I have to make a determination based upon the testimony that I've heard today. And the testimony that I've heard today that I find most credible is that you keyed her car. Can I please see an estimate of the damage?
>> Your honor, I also um brought an estimate for a rental car.
It's the only car that we have and at the top of the >> I'm not taking into consideration your rental car.
>> Okay.
>> What year car is this? A 93 Pontiac Granddown >> 93 car can be painted for less than $2,218.
You can find a paint job for less money than that for an 8-year-old car. I suggest you do that.
>> Okay, >> Bird, I'm not really really good at this. How much can you get a nice paint job for?
>> I really couldn't say, Josh. Depends on what kind of paint job and depends on who you get to do it.
>> Can you get a nice paint job for $800?
>> Your honor, excuse me. I don't mean to interrupt. I have another estimate here.
I I didn't hand both of them. I've got two different ones.
>> A little more reasonable.
>> Well, now you're talking a little bit better. 1450 >> depends on how long how far it was keyed. Judge >> keyed the whole side. 1450 sounds much more reasonable to me.
>> Yeah, >> I have those two estimates. Should have handed me both. judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $1,400.
That's fine.
>> Parties are excused. You may step out.
>> Keep up with my ex-boyfriend. I hope that Ann will just leave everything in how how it is.
>> He doesn't say that that's his kid. I'm just glad it's over and I hope Ann will put this to rest and leave us alone.
>> She's just doesn't even know who the father of her child is.
>> Get my car fixed. That's all I want. I think that there's a lot of girls at Mount Spokane that hate her guts and anybody could have done it. If someone's going to follow me into the school, more than likely she did it.
>> And now the next case.
>> All parties in the matter of Yim versus Barbara. Step forward, please.
>> 30-year-old clothing marketer O Larry Yim is suing her ex-boyfriend.
41-year-old Patrick Barbara for the return of a computer. Patrick is counter suing for a separate computer.
>> Miss Yim, according to your complaint, you and the defendant were friends.
Sometime in December of 1999, you purchased a computer. You already had a computer, but you bought a new one, a very expensive one. You say that since you didn't need both computers, you allowed the defendant to borrow it, and he had it in his possession for a considerable period of time. Sometime in the summer of 2000, you decided you wanted your computer back. Is that right so far?
>> Correct.
>> Defendant said, "I thought it was a gift to me because I had done some work for her when she was on this trip to Cambodia." Right. See how I read your papers? Absolutely.
>> So what I said to you is I've already put a lot of my software in the computer. Let me buy you another one.
And he bought another one, a laptop, which he gave you.
>> Correct.
>> And on what date did he give you the other computer?
>> I would say approximately July of 2000.
>> July of 2000. And you kept that computer for a while?
>> Yes.
>> For how many months?
>> I still had that computer.
>> Which you accepted. Is that right?
>> Yes. Then you changed your mind because you say that it wasn't as good as the computer that you had let him borrow.
>> Correct.
>> Is that the idea?
>> Is that this case?
>> More or less.
>> So now you want the value or the return of your more expensive computer?
>> Yes.
>> Wrong.
Let us assume, Miss Yim, that you allowed him merely to borrow the computer. That's not what he says. But let us assume that's true. You allowed him to borrow the computer. And when you asked for it back, he said, "It's been a long time, 6 months or 8 months or whatever it was. I put my software in it. Let me get you a replacement."
>> And you said, "Fine." and a year ago he got you a replacement and you accepted it. That means the contract is over. You took the replacement, you kept it, you've had it for almost a year. And the fact that you don't like it anymore doesn't mean that you can go back and get the original one from 1999.
Do you understand?
>> I do. Good. Perfect. Case dismissed. Oh, >> parties are excused. You may step out.
>> Colazo parties have been sworn in.
Judge, you may be seated. Sir, have a seat.
>> Miss Wishner, your claim is that the defendant assaulted you in a bar. You claimed that she assaulted you both inside of the bar and outside of the bar later in the parking lot. Did you know her before this evening?
>> No, ma'am.
>> You had never known her before. December 13th.
>> Yes.
>> Never spoken to her before. Never.
>> Okay. So, why don't you tell me about at least your version of what happened that evening?
>> Uh, several friends of mine, we all decided that we would meet at a local bar, uh, then go bowling and then go back to the bar afterwards. So, we all met and that's where I was introduced to Marina by a friend of mine.
>> Who's Marina? That's you, Miss Collazo.
>> Yes. And we then went bowling. Um, >> who went bowling?
>> Uh, Mike, myself, uh, two friends, Marina. So, she went bowling with you?
>> Yes. Um, I never really carried on a conversation with her because I didn't know her.
>> Then after bowling, several hours later, we then went back to the bar to just hang out, have a couple drinks, and just socialize. And that's when Michael had asked me um that Kristen was coming down.
>> Another girl was coming.
>> Yes. And he had said that um she liked him. He asked me if I would go along and say that I was his girlfriend. I said, "That's fine." Marina was on the other side of the bar sitting with Kristen.
They were carrying on a conversation.
>> So Marina, Miss Collazo, was sitting at the other side of the bar with this girl who had a crush on >> on Michael.
>> Michael?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Got to get me a scorecard here.
>> Michael and I were standing there talking and before I knew it, Marina had come up behind me, grabbed the back of my hair, and yanked my head back and began to yell at me and call me a liar and said that I had lied to her. and >> lied to.
>> I had lied to her. She said that I lied to her or lied to Kristen. Uh Michael had asked her to leave. So, she had left the bar. Uh from there, Kristen came up to me. She's like, "I'm really sorry."
She's like, "You know, we were just standing there having a conversation."
She's like, "Marina was supposed to come up and confront you and Michael about the situation, if you were lying or not." She's like, "I never expected her to pull your hair."
>> So, Miss Collazo left because Michael told her to leave.
>> Yes.
>> And she left the bar.
>> Mhm. I wanted to know why she had pulled my hair. Um, I went outside. I was standing there on the edge of the sidewalk. Um, her car door was open. She was getting into the car whenever I had asked her why she'd pulled my hair.
>> How far away from you was she when you asked her that question.
>> I don't know.
>> Something in this room.
>> She was probably like where the flag is behind you, the navy blue flag on the right hand side.
>> Okay. So, pretty far away.
>> There was a pretty good distance between us.
>> Okay.
>> Um, I didn't leave the sidewalk. I stood there and figured that I would carry on.
>> You shouted to her. Why did you pull my hair?
>> Exactly. I just wanted to know. I didn't care.
>> Why did you pull my hair? Is that what you said?
>> Yes.
>> Go ahead.
>> Um, from there she had shut the car door and began yelling at me. I guess she felt threatened that I >> tell me what she felt. She shut the car door and started to yell at you. What did she say?
>> Um, she just called me a liar and said that I lied to her about the whole situation when I didn't lie to her. I lied, you know, to Kristen. And she approached me.
>> So, she left the car and came to you.
>> Yes.
>> Go ahead. From there, she um we continued to exchange words and before I knew it, she had jumped on me and slammed my head up against the car. It was a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I did $400 worth of damage to the car with my head that she bounced off of it. Um from there, she continued to jump on me and beat on me. She had scraped my face with her nails, uh pulled my contact out of my eye, and every time I tried to get up and get away, she continued to jump back on top of me. I had a bruise on my left inner leg from continuing to fall.
Numerous times I had asked her to get off of me that I wasn't going to fight her. I tried pushing her away and when I pushed her away, she then bit me on my hand. And I have pictures if you want to see.
>> I sure do.
>> She had bit me on my left hand in between my thumb and my pointer finger.
Um, the pictures are really hard to see.
I have scars on it from where she bit me. Um, from there, finally, somebody came outside and pulled her off me long enough for me to go inside and call uh 911 and have the paramedics come. Uh, >> okay. Now, you hit somebody's Grand Cherokee. And reading between the lines in your complaint, I gathered that somebody was forced to pay for the damage on the Grand Cherokee. Who was that?
>> I had to pay 25519.
She was supposed to pay 22019.
And you want her to pay not only the 25519 that you paid for the truck, but also for your injuries.
>> Yes.
>> That you sustained as a result of what you claim was the assault. Okay. Did you finish your story?
>> Um, I have all the medical reports like those.
>> No, don't read them yet, but I may. So, keep them handy. All right, Miss Gollazo, let's hear your version of the events.
>> Okay. Everything's true up until the part to where we came over to talk to her. Also, she had talked to me earlier.
She said she had no conversation with me at the bar at the bowling alley because earlier that day, I had asked her and Mike or they a couple in conversation at the bar before we went to the bowling alley. And at the bowling alley, we did talk. I mean, you can't really bowl.
>> I don't.
>> Okay. I'm just letting you know that we did speak at the bar. Yes, I was talking to Kristen. We were talking about the fact that Mike had told her that her girlfriend was there. And I said, "What are you talking about? He doesn't have a girlfriend." She said, "Well, that's her right then." And I said, "No, that's not her girl. It's not his girlfriend." I said, "They're making a fool of you, you know." And she's just like, "I don't understand all that crying stuff." I was like, "Well, if you want to." I said, "We can go over there and ask her right now and you can stop sitting here being the, you know, the red thumb here and go on with your business." So, we go over to the side of her and I tapped her. She was turned around. Mike was in between us and I tapped her on her shoulder and I asked her the question and she said no. And she looked at me with this face and she's just like, "Well, why do you care? Why do you care?" And she started getting loud in the bar. Mike was standing in between us and he did not ask me to leave. He said,"Merena, I know you're better than this." And I said, "I know I am." And I turned around and I proceeded to leave the bar. I turned around and she was right there coming at me, asking me, "Who do I think I am and why do I care and why is this important to me?" And she grabbed at me. So, what was I supposed to do? Of course, I grabbed her and started. Yeah, I beat her up. But I mean, she had me, you know, and we hit the car, we hit the ground. We rolled around for a little while and she got someone's cell phone cuz she was on the phone outside making phone calls, calling me a this, a that, I'm going to jail just cuz I'm a stupid n-word and this, that, the next, and the other. And I'm like, whatever. I'll wait here for the police. The police came. He said, "Are you the person who called the police?
>> Can I see the police report, please?
Real cases, real people. Judge Judy.
Stephanie Wishner says she was assaulted by Marina Collazo during an argument at a bar. Stephanie claims Marina rammed her head into the side of a truck.
>> So, you left before the police arrived.
Is that right?
>> No, I left after the police got there.
He pulled up right in front of the bar.
I was still out front. He looked at me.
He said, "Are you the one who called the police?" I said, "No." I said, "I'm just trying to get my things and leave." He said, "Okay." and he went inside to talk to her.
>> Well, according to the police, you left before his arrival. Why didn't you hang around and and speak to the police officer?
>> I was right there when he pulled up and he asked me. He said, "Are you the one who called the police?"
>> No, I'm not the one that called the police, but I know about this incident.
You knew why the police were there, right?
>> Yeah.
>> So, why wouldn't you stay around and give your version of the events?
>> I didn't feel it was necessary.
>> No. Take any prescription medication. Do >> I take prescription medication? Do you take any prescription medication?
>> No.
>> There's no excuse for this. There's no excuse for this kind of an assault. This wasn't a single assault. This was clearly she beat you up. Okay. And she has to be responsible for that. But you also, it seems to me, have some responsibility. There's no question that two of you had been drinking that evening because you started out at the bar, then you went to the bowling alley where I'm sure you were drinking beer or whatever else they serve there. Then you go back to the bar and you're drinking some more. So, I'm sure that both of you were feeling a little bit loose. Would that be a fair statement?
>> Yes, we were drinking.
>> Okay. That doesn't give you this. You understand that?
>> Yeah.
>> And you got involved with something that had absolutely nothing to do with you.
You're talking to Christina. Christina wants to know if this boy is actually dating this girl. What does that have to do with you? And what do you have to start trouble for? You tell this girl that they're making a fool out of her. I mean, is that what a mature person does?
>> Well, they were What does that have to do with you?
So, you had to pay for the truck. That's part of the cost of being stupid and going out and following her outside. As far as your medical bills are concerned, now I want to see your medical bills and the reports.
>> This is the hospital report. This is the medical.
>> You didn't see the doctor, I assume, Miss Collazo, because you went home before you even spoke to the police. Is that right?
>> That's it.
>> Yes.
>> I went home and I went to bed.
>> Went home and went to bed. Did you go to work the next day?
>> Yes, I did.
>> So, I assume you weren't injured.
>> Not to the point to where I felt I needed medical attention.
>> Well, tell me how you were injured to any at any point.
>> Okay. I had scratches all over my >> Did you have any photographs of that?
>> Did I know I was going to court? No.
>> Did you? If you had hung around, Miss Collazo, and spoken to the police, maybe you would have known.
Nothing more unsemly than women who drink.
>> Medical bills total $1,160.
>> Can I speak right now?
>> Mhm.
>> We had a criminal case. She already tried to get me for harassment, but the judge in Pittsburgh dropped the charges.
>> Well, I'm not dropping the charges as far as I'm concerned. Madam, you are a $1,160 judgement for the plaintiff.
>> Party's excuse. You may step out.
I'm tired of seeing her in court. This is my third time and hopefully I don't have to see her ever again. I really think she was out looking to just start something and I was the lucky person.
>> And now the next case.
>> All parties in the matter of Pasarello versus Stillwell. Step forward, please.
>> Kalia and Veto Pasariello are suing DJ company owners Jennifer and Eric Stillwell for ruining their wedding video. The Stillwell say the video was free.
Mr. and Mrs. Pasariel, you were getting married and uh you hired the defendants as DJs for the wedding. Is that right?
>> Correct.
>> And how many hours was the reception?
>> Um we had hired them to play for three hours.
>> What did your contract provide for?
>> $210.
>> Not a lot of money for three hours, right?
>> Average where we live.
>> Okay. How did you find them? Did you find them through an advertisement or did somebody recommend them?
>> In the phone book. An advertisement in the phone book. Okay. Had you asked to for any recommendations?
>> Um, we only had two months to plan our wedding and in their advertisement it says that they do a video taping for free and since we were in a hurry, we decided to go with them because we also wanted the videotape. So, we chose >> Let me see the ad, please.
>> Um, we actually have two.
>> Just a second. So, $210 was for the DJ.
How many people? One DJ or two? Um, they told me that there would be one DJ, but there would be someone there helping him.
>> And was there >> there were two other people there with him.
>> Okay. So, that's a pretty reasonable pretty reasonable, >> right?
>> So, you're not complaining. Your lawsuit doesn't complain about the DJ services.
Your lawsuit says that they were to provide you a your event videotaped free.
>> Correct.
>> That's what the ad says, >> right?
>> But not the DJ services. The DJ services you paid for, >> right? The video was free and what you're complaining about is the quality of the vide tape.
>> Right.
>> Right.
>> And some of the service.
>> Well, you never like everything that a DJ does. Miss Pasarella, >> they lost our first dance song and they also asked me to make up a song list and the song list was not played. And we had picked out special m music for the cake cutting and it was not played either.
>> Miss Pasarello, >> listen. Listen to me very carefully. I have made a lot of weddings.
>> Never is perfect.
>> Did you fire them?
>> Well, I couldn't send them home and have no entertainment.
>> Of course not. So, you kept them for the 3 hours, >> right?
>> Fine. So, you got your service provided for cuz what you're suing them for is not $210. You're suing them for $2,110.
You're suing them for 10 times as much as you paid because you say they spoiled your day because of the video.
>> Um, it wasn't just that the day was spoiled. My husband is from New York and his family was not able to attend and we were counting on this video to include them so they could see and it's so embarrassing. We cannot >> then you should have hired somebody who was a professional videoer. Their ad shows professional this, professional that and they actually have it in a higher printing that your video service >> is free.
>> Yes. But it's they're >> Mr. Pasello.
It's ludicrous to believe that you actually thought that you were going to get both a professional DJ and a helper for three hours plus a professional video all for the bargain price of $210.
>> That's average where we live. It's not low. It's very average.
>> So, what you're telling me is you can get a professional DJ and a professional video. I don't know about a professional video.
>> You're not following what I'm saying, madam. It's ludicrous to believe that you could possibly expect a professional DJ plus a professional video.
>> They agreed to provide a video.
>> They provided you a video. Madam, >> you may not like the video.
>> Can I show you the video?
>> I'm not interested.
>> It's awful.
>> Just a second. You should have hired a professional photographer if you wanted a professional video. How is somebody going to do a DJ? Pay attention.
Professionally as well as videotape an event to your liking, right? You want two professionals for $210.
>> They had three people at the event. One person to DJ and the other two, one of the men was standing there with the camera. Now, we're not saying a professional job. We're saying at least an average job. This is >> out of the job. Where do you get standards >> out of three? Where do you get standards for a free service that it's supposed to be average, below average, above average?
>> Rounded into the price somewhere.
>> Did you call for Hey, Miss Pascarello, I hear a lot of people complaining about wedding events afterwards. Sometimes I rule in their favor when they hire a photographer and the photographers's pictures are so outrageous and you've hired a professional photographer. They are successful. But you did not hire a professional photographer. You hired a professional DJ who was giving you as a service as a free service a video. I'm going to ask you only one other question. Did you contact in the course of the two months preparation for your wedding a photographer?
>> No. His father took all the pictures for our wedding.
>> So, the answer is you did not contact a photographer.
>> We didn't need to.
>> No.
>> Good.
>> I hope you have good pictures. Listen, stop making a mountain out of a mold.
>> Can you view the tape, please?
>> I'm not interested in the tape, madam.
There are pictures on the tape. Is that right?
>> It's a video.
>> You can't see it. It's so dark you can't see it. And when we're cutting the cake, the speaker for this system, they set their service up right in front of our cake table. And you cannot even see Veto except for the waist down.
>> You hired a DJ, >> but they agreed to provide another service.
>> They provided another service. They gave you a video. And the fact that, >> Miss Pastor, you're not going to get a dime. Understand that.
>> You hired a DJ for $200 for three hours.
Did you pay play three hours or more?
>> We played four hours.
>> Play four because they felt bad because they broke our first dance tape.
>> Fine. Well, that's a just a second.
That's a very nice thing. So, they played for 4 hours. They played for 4 hours for >> But I told him to leave.
>> No.
>> Yes, we did. He asked us several times if we wanted him to stay for a half an hour for 35 or a full hour for 70. And I told him no because there was only like people left.
>> Just a second. So, are you telling me they didn't stay for 4 hours? They did, but I didn't tell him to.
>> I ask, "Miss Paciello, get this straight. They played at your wedding for 4 hours for $200, and for that, you also believe you are entitled to a video that is totally satisfactory to you. You are not entitled to that." Did you ever hear the expression, you get what you pay for?
>> Did you ever hear that? Don't ask me any question.
>> That's right.
>> Downs versus Nagel Barnett.
>> Thank you. You're welcome. Have been sworn in. Judge, you may be seated.
Folks, have seats.
>> First, let me advise all of you that I have no intention of going back historically into the ongoing allegations of harassment, restraining orders, etc. that exists between you two people. And I'm going to start on a particular day and that day is back in February, February of 2001 when I understand from reading your complaint that all of you appeared in court. Is that right?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> And on that day in February, you all seem to have come to some sort of at least a temporary resolution of this ongoing harassment that each of you claimed that the other is causing you.
Is that right?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Correct. So, you're in court. You received a restraining order against him.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Did you have a restraining order at that time against them?
>> No, ma'am.
>> No.
>> Okay. Everybody's shaking hands saying we hope this whole thing will go away and then you exit the courthouse. Is that right?
>> No, I didn't. No, ma'am. I not leave the courthouse yet.
>> Your car was parked in the parking lot.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> And according to you, you saw the defendant's sons doing something to your car. No, ma'am. I did not see him until after I was told that they were doing damage to my car.
>> Who saw it?
>> My son.
>> Step up here.
>> Tell me your name.
>> Michael.
>> Michael. Your dad is in court. You went outside to wait for him?
>> No. I was in the lobby where he we were getting ready to get the papers and as I looked around the corner cuz I was seeing if the car was okay. Next thing you know, I saw him. They were sitting there kicking the bumper.
>> Who was?
>> Jared, Jeban, and Tyler. These three boys?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> All three boys?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Was your car parked there as well?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> How far away from where your car was parked was the plaintiff's car parked?
>> Okay. The plaintiff's car was parked like in the third parking space on the front of the median. My car was on the back side about three cars down.
>> So, a good distance away from his car.
>> Correct.
>> Step up here. All three of you.
names.
>> Jared Barnett, >> Tyler Nagel, >> Jim Barnett.
>> Now, I've read the answer here, and the answer says that you guys were just playing around air karate kicking. Is that right?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Ha. Yes, ma'am.
>> Why were you air karate kicking around his car?
>> Because we were mad because she got away with uh throwing a softball at my friend Tyler.
>> So, you were mad?
>> Yes, ma'am. And you left court and you went out and found his car. Is that right?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> And he says you damaged the car.
>> I didn't.
>> You did. What about you?
>> I wasn't even near it. I was >> Where were you?
>> About 5t away from me.
>> You were 5t away. You were there?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Were you air karate kicking the car, too?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Did you know that they were doing that?
>> No.
>> You have photographs of the car?
>> Yes, ma'am.
Where were your parents when you were kicking this car?
>> They were just leaving.
>> Were they inside the courthouse when you went outside?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> You went outside first?
>> Yes. Yes. And we were going to the car.
>> We were going to our car.
>> Which car?
>> I was going to my car.
>> But you weren't going to your car.
>> Yes, I was.
>> Well, what did you stop at his car for?
We got mad and so we just started to pretend.
>> When did you get mad? Between the courthouse door and the time you got to his car. Tell me approximately when you got mad.
>> I was mad uh >> inside the courthouse.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> So, you didn't just get mad. You were mad before you left the courthouse?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> What about you? Were you mad or you just following?
>> I was mad, too, ma'am.
>> What were you mad at?
>> For him getting away.
>> Getting away with doing what?
>> Throwing a softball at me, ma'am.
>> And is that what this case was about that you were in court about?
>> Yes, ma'am. Were you hurt when the softball hit you?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Where did the softball hit you?
>> On my bottom on the left.
>> Mhm.
>> And I've got a scar.
>> And what happened? Did the judge dismiss that case?
>> Yes.
>> So your sons were angry?
>> Yes.
>> You subsequently got a restraining order against them.
>> Mhm.
>> So that then there are now mutual restraining orders.
>> Yes, ma'am. Correct.
>> Okay.
>> My attorney's parallegal. I have an affidavit from her saying that she was there.
>> No, no, no, no, no. I only take witnesses, not affidavit.
>> Well, she could not be here today because she was at a case in my attorney.
>> That's not my problem. That's your problem. I don't take affidavit. But I believe your son and I don't believe the fact that they were angry and they just went outside and air karate kicked and as a result of something else, your car got damaged. Car looks like a relatively new car. Is it a new car?
>> It's a 2000 Buick Regal.
>> Yeah. And you get absolutely no satisfaction air karate kicking a car.
You get satisfaction when you actually kick it. Right, Bird?
>> That's right.
>> That's right.
Real cases, real people. Judge Judy.
Anthony D says 11-year-old Tyler Nagel, 11-year-old Jared Barnett, and 13-year-old Jeban Barnett vandalized his car. The children deny the charge.
>> So, how much did it cost you to fix the car, sir? I have a lot of different bills here. Is it $500?
>> That was we had to pay at the end. Yes, ma'am.
>> Was your deductible?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Okay, that's what I thought. Okay, so now we come to March 8th. You have a counter claim. Your counter claim says that he violated the restraining order and that's the only thing that I'm going to hear. Somebody want to tell me about it.
>> We do not deny that the boys were in a place where they should not have been, but we are denying all the allegations.
>> Good. And I find that they kicked his car. I find that based upon several things, quiet and listen, >> I don't believe them that they never came into contact with the car with their shoes or their feet. I believe that they were angry because little brother over here got hit with a ball.
They felt it was his fault. Judge dismissed the case. They went outside and little boys don't get any satisfaction air karateing a car. They get satisfaction if they actually come into contact with the car. And unless the air karate kick fairy did this damage to the car, somebody did it. So I find that they did it. Now let's move to your counter claim, madam, which is the only thing I'm going to hear right now.
Got a restraining order. You say that there was continual harassment after that.
>> After we filed the restraining order.
>> How are you related to this case? He's suing me, too, cuz those those are my children.
>> Which children?
>> This one and this one.
>> Okay, go ahead.
>> Okay. I was coming home from picking up my son Jared from the roller rake and I pushed the button to open up my garage door and he was coming from the side of my yard down my driveway and in front of me.
>> Yes.
>> So, I called her husband cuz my husband was gone and he came over and then we called the police.
>> And what happened?
>> They went over there and talked to him and he said that he was in bed sleeping at the time and that there was nothing we could do because there wasn't a third party involved. So, you saw him walk from the side of your house.
>> What's next?
>> He was running, man.
>> Running. What's next?
>> I have pictures where he was on three different occasions taking his children to school. I have pictures of him driving by the house where he could have taken three to four other routes which were shorter than the one he took, but I feel he took these just to make his self known that he was there.
>> So, he drove his children to school and he could have taken a different route and avoided going on your street. Is that what you're saying? Not harass.
What's next? Anything else? Yes, ma'am.
>> I don't want to hear you.
>> I still have two court documents stating that there was no damage to the car.
>> Listen carefully to me. I find that there was damage to the car as a result of your boys kicking the car. They practically confessed. The only thing they didn't confess to was that their feet when they were doing the karate kicks actually came in contact with the car. I don't have to repeat it to you 20 times. They were seen doing karate kicks to the car and there's damage to a brand new car. Should have watched them more carefully.
>> Your counter claims dismissed for harassment. Listen to me. The matter was resolved as of February 16th. The only thing that I'm entertaining is the damage to your car. Listen to me very carefully. That cost you $500, right?
>> And a car rental.
>> I don't care about car. We had to rent a car because it was getting fixed. Do you think that I believe that when there is an ongoing problem with harassment between two families, listen to me very care, you're not receiving when there is ongoing problems with two families like there is with these two families involving children that all the adults aren't a little at fault. I believe that they're all a little at fault. The adults, all the adults.
>> Can I say something? The day that the restraining order took place is the day that before this court date they said I did this to um her house.
>> I'm dismissing her counter claim for harassment. Sir, you have to understand that if you listened instead of had your own thing going on in your head, you would understand that.
>> I don't find driving down the street or coming from the side of her house harassment. Do you understand that?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Now, so now you're in a receiving mode.
So being in a receiving mode, I'm telling you sir that I believe that when there is an ongoing pattern that requires police, prosecutors, detectives, court personnel to waste their time to deal with childish behavior and adults are involved. You don't get your car rental.
>> Mhm.
>> You got it.
>> But I do.
>> But you do get your out-ofpocket expenses for them kicking your car, which they did. Judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $500. That's all. parties are excused. You may step out.
>> They had beaten Michael up several times.
>> He was found guilty of assault battery against my son Jared.
>> They had me down, so I was kicking punching trying to get my way out of the fight.
>> The father should have just broke it up, had boys shake their hands, and go on with life.
>> And now the next case.
>> All parties in the matter of Kettlesson versus Kettlesson. Step forward, please.
28-year-old cashier Jennifer Kettlesson is suing her brother, 25-year-old welder Nathaniel Kettlesson, for unpaid loans, the return of her belongings, and damages from an assault. Nathaniel is counter suing for storage fees.
>> Miss Kettlesson, the defendant is your brother. I've read your papers, your complaint, and your answer. Nowhere in the complaint or the answer do I see the need for any child witnesses. So, I'm going to have her take this child outside. Come on, buddy.
All right. According to what I've read, you were living in Alaska with your children. Things weren't going well there. You spoke with your brother. Your brother offered to open his house to you if you wanted to relocate from Alaska to Montana where he lived with his family.
You sold some stuff, packed up the rest, and moved in with your brother. Things did not work out. You got into a major brewhaha with him either a week or two later. According to you, he kicked you out of the house, >> right?
>> You want him to pay for the following $500, which is what you say it cost you for a motel to stay with your family.
$1,400, which is the amount that you say you had to borrow for airline tickets because someone else said that you could come to stay with them in New York. Couple of thousand for your aggravation. In addition, you claimed that he had borrowed some money from you.
>> That's correct. several hundred dollars and he didn't pay you back all of the money. Right.
>> Correct.
>> Mr. Kettson, your brother has a counter claim. His counter claim is you left and you left a whole bunch of your stuff there and then he and his family were relocating because he was a nice guy. He took your stuff with him when he relocated and the van wasn't big enough to hold his stuff. So, he had to put his stuff in storage and he wants you to pay for the storage for his stuff because he took better care of your stuff. Right.
>> That's correct. Are you all nuts or what?
Miss Kettles, if you go and live with somebody, a member of your family, and things don't work out, you believe that there's a contract, and the contract existed between you and your brother to provide a home for you and your children, even if the situation became intolerable, and that's why you believe he's responsible for this $1900 in expenses you had to move out of his house.
>> Your honor, he called me up and he said that we can come down and stay with him.
and he seemed very very polite about it and everything and he had to convince me to come down.
>> You're a big adult. Do you think if a living arrangement doesn't work out with a relative, you're entitled to further relocation expenses?
>> Yes, I do.
>> Raw. I don't have to hear anymore.
Forget it. That doesn't happen. And your aggravation as a result of that also doesn't happen. You take your chances.
You move from Alaska, where you weren't doing well, to Montana in the hopes that you would do better. Didn't work out.
So, you moved on. That's not a lawsuit.
That's called unfortunate.
>> Your honor, he said that he would be sending my stuff to me. I have a letter from him about that. And >> Okay. So, he has some of your belongings, >> right?
>> Fine. Let's talk about the loans first.
We'll talk about the belongings second.
Loans. When did you lend him money?
>> I lend him money on October 10 18th.
>> How much?
>> 300.
>> Is that right?
>> That's correct.
>> Did you pay her back?
>> I paid 200 of that back.
>> You have any proof of that?
>> Um, no.
>> She says you paid back 150.
>> Yes. Wasn't expecting it to go this far.
>> Okay. What was the next loan? When was that?
>> October 18th.
>> What were the circumstances surrounding that loan?
>> He brought his daughter over so I can watch her and while he went somewhere and he asked me for $100.
>> Is that right?
>> I believe so. Yes.
>> Did you give her back that money?
>> No, I did not.
>> Fine. So, you owe her $250. That's easy.
What else?
>> It says right here, I will get my taxes back in about two weeks. It should be enough to mail your you your stuff. What do you want me to do with the stuff that you left with Maurice? Don't worry, I'm going to send all that you left there.
>> What kind of stuff do you have?
>> My computer, my belongings, my book.
>> I'll take my belongings in your computer.
>> Okay. My computer, our baby books. Um, >> there's no baby books.
>> Yes, there is. My kids clothes. I have a leather jacket in there, picture frames, beanie babies, sleeping bags, all sorts of things.
>> Okay. Did you send him any money to send you back that stuff?
>> No, he was supposed to send it with the money that he owes me.
>> Well, that's fine. You have all that stuff that's all packed up? Yes.
>> And you owe $250. Do you think it'll cost more than $250 to send it?
>> Far more.
>> How much?
>> It was $174 a box. She wants it insured and priority mail and everything else with it. It was basically going to round off to about $200 a box to mail.
>> Your honor, when I >> Just a minute. How many boxes of stuff do you think you have?
>> Two boxes about 3 ft by 3 ft by 3 ft stuffed full.
>> And how much do you think that that's going to cost?
>> About 200 a box to mail it.
>> So about $400. $100 total to mail it. Do you want to spend that?
>> No, it I I went to the post office in Montana and I asked him how much it is and they said $50 for £7.
>> Well, I'm not going to guess how much it is to mail all your stuff back. He's not responsible to you to mail all your stuff back.
>> He said right here that he will. So, he responsible.
>> No, he's not responsible for paying for it. It's your stuff. You left it there.
>> He owes me the money. He was >> Fine. You're not, Miss KDson. He owes you $250. What if it costs $500 to mail back your stuff?
>> It doesn't. I went to the post office and it cost $50 for £70. I made sure that those two boxes were less than £7.
>> How did you make sure of that?
>> Because I know how much I brought down in those boxes.
>> Miss Kettleton, you're going to have to make arrangements for the payments. The stuff is all boxed. He's prepared to turn it over to you. You have to make arrangements to get it. That's your job.
Do you understand?
>> Yes, I do.
>> Good. In the meantime, he's going to give you the $250 that he owes you, and that may help to defay some of your costs.
>> He should also pay for the tickets at least from Montana to New York. Oh, >> he's not paying for that at all. I just explained that to you.
>> Okay. Then the hotel and stuff.
>> He's not paying for that either.
>> He should have to because it was his fault that I had to leave. He said, "Come on down here and stay with me. You can stay with me until you get settled."
And then he >> And then there was a fight.
>> Yes. and he >> and it didn't work out. So, you left and evidently you left not under terrible circumstances.
>> Oh, yes, it was.
>> Well, you said the next day you were babysitting for his daughter.
>> Two days later.
>> Two days later you were babysitting for his daughter, which is when he came Miss Kettle, get over it. He doesn't pay for your airfare. He doesn't pay for your hotel. He pays you the money that he owes you, which is $250. And you make arrangements to get your stuff, which is boxed. Period. I have to pay $1349 because for my airfare ticket from Montana to New York because of the way he was to me.
>> No $49 rented a place to live in Montana.
>> Miss Kson, what if you decided to relocate to Paris and the affair to Paris is $5,000. You think you should pay $5,000? If that's the case, >> bye. You count the suits likewise dismissed. It's nonsense.
>> Parties are excused. You may step out.
>> Miss Greg, it is your claim that the defendant assaulted you at a high school reunion. By the way, when was the reunion?
>> November 22nd, >> 2000.
>> Yes, your honor.
>> How do you know her?
>> She is my ex-husband's fianceé.
>> Um, Anthony is my husband.
>> And you were used to be married to her?
>> That's my ex-wife.
>> Okay. So, this is not the fiance. They are married.
>> Yes.
>> Did you know that?
>> No, your honor.
>> Well, they are married.
>> Okay. Have you ever had any problems with her before? Well, prior to the incident, they had called um CPS on me and fabricated lies about me.
>> When had they called child protective services?
>> It was about three weeks to a month prior to that.
>> What was the complaint?
>> Um they were fabricating lies saying that I was a drug user and that um domestic violence in my home >> and the CPS had came to my house and my children's school and my work and everything and they closed the case prior to my reunion.
>> Does your ex-husband see the children?
He sees the children on and off. Um he hasn't been seeing them lately for the past couple weeks.
>> Okay. So that's the backdrop. Then you all go to the reunion. I assume you all went to high school together.
>> Yes.
>> And tell me what happened when you got to the reunion.
>> I showed up at the reunion at approximately 9:30. I paid $75 just for myself to go and I was walking around talking to my friends and I was looking for this man in a blue in the black shirt. I remembered him from 10th grade.
I wasn't sure of his name, but I was asking numerous people, "Where's this guy in the blue and the black shirt?"
Because I just wanted to dance and have a good time. Well, I walked outside on the patio to have a cigarette. I looked to my left and I saw him sitting at a table. And I walked over to the table and I said, "Oh, Jame." Cuz we had name tags on. And he lit my cigarette. When I bent down to light my cigarette, I saw Ma out of the corner of my eye talking to two of her girlfriends. She appeared to be upset. her girlfriends were huddling like over her like she appeared to be upset. I just said to James, I said, "You know, would you like to dance when you go back when we go back in after having our cigarette? I'm really glad I came. You I'm seeing a lot of people I haven't seen for a while." And that's about as far as I got. At this time, Ma approached me from the side.
She got like this close to my face and she says, "Did you even graduate?" And she appeared to be, you know, drinking, maybe intoxicated. I don't know, you know, because the reunion started at 6:00. And I said, "Um, of course I did, ma." And at that time, she pushed me down. I fell down. I was wearing a dress. I have, um, a cut on my leg and injuries. I have photos.
>> Push you just a second. She pushed you down. How?
>> She just pushed me down. Um, physically pushed me down. I fell down and I cut my leg. When I proceeded to get up, um, I wore my hair down that night and she had got my head into a firm like headlock and there was big heating lamps there at the Mission Inn in Riverside and she was trying to bang my head into one of those heating lamps and at this time because of the fabricated lies. Yeah, I'm not going to lose.
>> Shh, just a second. Don't tell me fabricated lies.
>> Well, just tell me what happened.
>> Well, due to the prior incidents that of them calling CPS, I cannot even touch her. Not even in self-defense. At this time, after she pushed me and I started to get back up, I placed my hands right here. Like, I'm not even going to touch you. I, you know, I refuse to touch her.
>> Why is there an order of protection against you?
>> Um, no. I just refused to touch her.
>> She What do you mean? I don't understand. You said due to the prior incident with CPS, I'm not allowed to touch her or go near her.
>> Because of them calling CPS, I was afraid that that they would lie and I would go to jail and I would lose my kids if I even defended myself one bit.
So, I did not even touch her, your honor. Not once. My hands were behind my back the whole time. At this time, James saw that I wasn't even defending myself.
>> Don't tell me what anybody else saw.
Just tell me what happened.
>> He He stood up behind me and barricaded me cuz he saw I wasn't defending myself at this time.
>> Don't tell me what he saw, madam. Just tell me what happened. James stood up >> and barricaded himself around you.
>> Okay. Barricaded himself around me. At this time, she still had my head and she couldn't bang it into the heating lamp because he was standing behind me. So, she was proceeding with her nail around like this trying to poke my eye out. And that's when I got scratches in my eye and a black eye. And at this time, the security guards came running out and she released my head prior to them running out and screamed, "Jennifer, quit hitting me. Quit hitting me. She's a psychosychotic drug addict and she's going to lose her kids to CPS in front of my whole reunion." And at that time, I I ran because I was in such shock to go find my purse, you know, to call the police on my cell phone. Police came.
There was a police report made. Um, I left in the ambulance and went to, um, Riverside Community Hospital.
>> Okay. Do you have a copy of your medical report and any photographs you want to show me?
>> There's um, the medical report. Did you want to see photos?
>> Yes.
>> Medical bills.
What are you showing me in this picture with your hands together like this?
>> Um, that one I was just showing that I had a um bruise on my wrist from where I was holding my wrist and also to show that I had all my nails on because if I was fighting back in self-defense, I definitely would not have any nails on.
Okay. All right. Let's see your version.
What happened?
>> Um, on it was the night of I believe it was November 25th um at my tenure reunion. Um when we were at I was out on the patio with my friends. We were at two tables. Um James was with us and um she approached us at the patio and she asked Nancy if it was the smoking section. Nancy replied no. And she ignored Nancy and she kept talking to James who was clearly with us. When I got up to leave the premises is when I I made a comment about cuz I was shocked that she came because she didn't graduate from Norcco. She didn't walk in commencement with us. And when I walked out, I did I made a comment about her not graduating from Norco High. Um, as I was leaving, she pushed me.
>> How did she push you?
>> She just pushed me.
>> You didn't fall over or anything?
>> No, >> she just pushed you with her.
>> Yes.
>> Go ahead.
>> And so I' I've seen her assault other people and I was I was scared. And so I reacted and I grabbed her. I grabbed her by her hair and I I held her against this pole so that I could secure myself.
And when she was kicking is when I had to use my left leg to protect myself from her right leg. When um Michelle went and got the security guards, that was when they split us both up. She was kicking and screaming, yelling I assaulted her, which is when she um took the called the police and uh took the ambulance.
Real cases, real people. Judge Judy.
Jennifer Craig says her ex-husband's new wife, Ma Kaine, assaulted her at their high school reunion. Ma says Jennifer started the fight.
>> Miss Greg, did you in fact graduate from this school?
>> No, I graduated from um Buenov Vista cuz I went to cosmetology school also.
>> Just listen to me. You did not graduate from this school.
>> No.
>> So what were you doing there at a 10th year? I went I went through Norco High through all my high school years except for my senior year and I thought about it and I wanted to go.
>> Did you know that they would >> No, your honor, I did not know.
>> Well, did you know that they graduated from that high school?
>> I knew that she graduated from the high school, but I didn't know that she was attending the the the reunion if I would have known.
>> But you knew that she went to that high school, >> right? And so did I.
>> And you're not listening.
You knew that she went to that high school so that there was a chance that she would be there, right?
>> Right. So, it was really rather foolish of you to put yourself into that situation where there was clearly recent hostility with regard to the children and your former husband and his fiance.
I don't understand why you even put yourself in that situation. It was really kind of foolish to do that. You don't agree with that?
>> Well, your honor, I wasn't sure whether they were going to be there or not, even if you suspected.
>> And I didn't want to miss my tenure reunion and I don't >> It wasn't your reunion. Yes, it was because I knew a lot of people there uh that I went to high school with and and I didn't want to miss my 10-year reunion and I don't >> You keep saying 10-year reunion. It wasn't your 10-year reunion. You didn't graduate from this high school. I can understand you wanting to see people that you went to school with, but as opposed to going there with these people who you had a recent problem with and you suspected that they might be there because you knew she graduated from there, smart would have been to say, "I'll see them at some other time." Did you in fact when she came up to you and said, "Did you graduate from me or I didn't know you graduated?" Which is something you didn't need to say. It was a gratuitous dig. Right.
>> Yes.
>> Unnecessary. All you have to do is walk out. Right.
>> Correct.
>> Were you there?
>> Yes, I was.
>> Step up. Were you two people there?
>> Yes.
>> And I don't need the husband. Sit down.
I'd rather hear from you.
>> Tell me your name.
>> Nancy.
>> Nancy what? Pharaoh.
>> Miss Pharaoh, you were there from the beginning.
>> Yes. And when we were outside on the patio when she approached us.
>> Tell me what you observed.
>> Me and Michelle were standing at the chair or at the table. Ma was sitting down. James was at a separate table by himself next to us.
>> James, the blue shirt.
>> The blue shirt guy. And I was kind of bent over talking to Ma when I saw Jennifer approaching us. And she walked up sacheting. Is this the smoking section? None of us are smoking. We don't smoke. I said no. telling her like, "We don't want you here. Get away." So, she still came by and stopped and talked to James. And then that's when Ma got up and made >> Let me hear it. Come on. Let me hear the whole thing.
>> Well, ma got up, walked by her and made the comment about you didn't even graduate or did you graduate from here?
And that's when Jennifer pushed her. And then that's >> how did she push her?
>> Just, you know, not like to knock her over, but she touched her. And so that was enough to make, I guess, both of them upset. And they just >> Oh, it was enough to make It was clearly enough to make the defendants upset.
>> Yes.
>> And then she reacted.
>> Correct.
>> You think, Miss Kane, that you overreacted?
>> I don't know if you can overreact when you're scared.
>> Well, being scared is one thing, but you precipitated this.
>> I was holding her to keep to defend myself.
>> Why are you defending yourself? She pushed you. Show me how she pushed her again.
>> Right. Didn't fall over. Nothing happened. But according to you, you know she's a violent person. So you defended yourself. And you defended yourself by throwing her into a headlock and punching her a couple of times.
>> No, I was holding >> punching her a couple of times.
Evidently, she fell down. I mean, she has bad bruises over here on her leg.
>> What?
>> Can I say something?
>> Sure.
>> About this about the whole thing and how it started. If I may.
>> Okay. Uh with regards to what Jennifer was saying about uh me calling CPS on her and having absolutely no reason and fabricating lies. Um I'd like to touch that real quick. Uh ma and I went over to pick my drop my children off after he had him a whole weekend on Sunday. Uh we pull up and she's out in the front yard with her boyfriend, the father of her child, her other child. Uh kicking him, slapping him, slamming his car door on his face. And uh I told him and her that I wasn't going to leave until she let him go because obviously he wanted to leave. She wasn't going to let him. At this time, my two children are standing in the park with 15 other kids that live in that complex watching this whole thing go on. That's where the understanding comes in. The minute she raised her hands, I wouldn't expect anything less of my wife than to defend herself against somebody that's violent like that. Not only that, but there's been lots of violence throughout the whole time that we've been separated and the whole time that I was married to her. A lot of violence.
>> That may be your wife should kept her mouth shut.
>> Well, that's true.
>> Okay. What made you think that there was drug use in the house?
>> Um, my kids have both mentioned smoking and unfamiliar smell. My son's very nervous. Um, he's 9 years old and he's still uh soiling his underwear. I have a tape we have here audio of uh Jennifer actually calling the house and having my daughter get on the phone and ask where the child support is. The child support money's at telling me she's going to come over to my house and then actually that night we did tape that. She did come over and she kicked my door in.
>> Sounds to me as if these kids are not seeing very good examples. Where was the child support?
>> She'd like to hear it.
>> Where was the child support?
>> The child support was pouring in at $800 a month. I'm only uh $10,000 behind on my child support and I've been paying child support for >> $10,000. $10,000 is a lot of money.
>> It It is and I agree with that and I'm paying it back as well as still paying currently.
>> Why did you fall $10,000 buying the child support?
>> What happened was is uh I changed careers and I dropped down to making a very low amount of money that would barely keep me going. I gave her what I could and I went to court.
>> How long ago did you fall behind?
>> Um this was uh two and a half three years ago.
>> In the past 2 years, have you been current in your child support?
>> Yes, I have.
>> They take it out of your salary?
>> Yes, they do. Your honor, can I just um say something regarding about that incident when he was saying that I dropped off the kids. Go ahead. Okay.
Prior to when I was moving in that night, um I I had some friends moving me in and they came to drop the kids off.
Well, Joe, my boyfriend, was outside talking to them. I walked outside to see where he was at this time. Ma flips me off and I was like, you know, what's up with that? And they're sitting there saying that I'm harassing them, starting, you know, starting a fight with them. I didn't do anything. So, you're telling me you didn't have a fight with your boyfriend?
>> I didn't even do anything. No, you're on.
>> No. No. Listen to me. You're telling me that you didn't have a fight with your boyfriend?
>> No.
>> I'm not sure if I believe that?
>> I didn't.
>> I'm not sure if I did.
>> And when I walked out, she had flipped me off in front of my children.
>> Maybe she did that, but I'm not sure that you didn't have a fight with the boyfriend.
>> No, your honor.
>> Mhm. You ever smoked marijuana in your house?
>> No, your honor, I do not.
>> I smoke cigarettes and that's it. See, prior to this sh Don't say CC c.
>> He had listen to me. is what you're telling me that you've never smoked drugs in your house?
>> Yes, your honor, that is correct. He had a hair follicle drug test taken on me in court that I had passed. I don't use drugs and he he just make fabricates lies because child >> support. Um her and her mother got in an argument and uh Jennifer's mother wasn't allowed to see the children and uh maid and I had talked about that and I said it's not right cuz she's done it to everybody in my family. She's done it to everyone on my side of the family. Then she started doing it to her side of the family cuz her and her mother got in a fight. her mother was the only stable thing in those kids' life at that point and I knew that I was only seeing them every other weekend and once a week, you know, on Wednesdays and I knew what was going on. So, I called her mom and I said, "Hey, anytime you want to come over here and see the kids, you're more than welcome." Blah, blah, blah. Her mother comes over and tells me that she knew she did a bad thing. And I said, "Well, what's that?" Well, she knew that Jennifer was on drugs and went on the internet and got the the chemicals that you need to put on your hair to wipe everything off your hair follicles. That was the first person that told me that.
The second person that told me that was her boyfriend Joe because they were fighting and he told me, you know, he came over to the house going, "I don't know how you dealt with it as long as you did." Blah, blah, blah. And I said, "Hey, you know, to be totally honest with you, I did what I did and it's over. I found somebody. I'm really happy, you know, and there it is.
>> Mr. Kane, just keep a close eye on things."
>> Do you understand me?
>> Yeah, I understand.
>> But that's all that's all I'm going to say. All right. Now, I have to get to this claim. Miss Craig, let me tell you what I believe. I believe that the defendant said something that was totally unnecessary to you when she said either I didn't know you graduated or did you graduate from here? It was a gratuitous dig that was pretty stupid. I also believe that you pushed her after she said it to you. Oh yes, I believe that you pushed her. I don't believe that you hurt her. I believe that you, as indicated, pushed her. Did you have a right to do that? No. Did you hurt her?
No. And was her response to being pushed consistent with the threat? The answer is no.
Okay. You overreacted and you can't do that. I honestly believe that you could have avoided the problem with her totally by just walking out. Keep walking. Right. Said not a word. You didn't do that. She's not responsible.
you're responsible.
I think that there's more to the underlying case here with regard to the background, what's going on in her house, but I can't get into that now.
It's that's just a sense, which is why I said to you, just be vigilant. Do you understand? But you are responsible for her medical bills, and I believe that you are also responsible for some of her pain and suffering. I also think that you have certain responsibility because you were the first person to put your hands on her. I honestly believe that you pushed her first. I believe that because that would be a natural reaction by somebody who has somebody coming up right in their face and saying something that was nasty. You might not hit her and I don't think you hit her. You shoved her out of the way. Did not require the defense that you attribute to, well, I knew her history as of being a violent person, so I defended myself.
Do you understand? You had medical bills of $1,441.39 and I believe you were probably out of work for a couple of days and I believe that you had some pain and suffering and I'm entering a judgment for $3,000.
>> Mhm. Pa, Miss Warning, Judge, you may be seated, sir. Have a seat, please.
>> You're Miss Bowman.
>> I'm Miss Bowman, her mother.
>> Okay. But you weren't there.
>> No, I was not there at the time.
>> Miss Bowman, the defendant is your former boyfriend, >> right?
>> Who's going to take his hands out of his pockets as we speak? Very good. And according to your complaint, after you broke up with him, two things happened.
You claimed that he trashed your car, causing substantial damage. And also, in a scuffle over a knife, he caused you to cut yourself. And you want him to pay your medical bills. When did you break up with him? And where did this happen?
>> At his home on June 27th.
>> How long had you been going out with him?
>> Since February.
>> Did you tell him in person that you were breaking up with him?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> At what time of the day or evening did you tell him? 7.
>> You broke up with him on the 27th, >> right?
>> At about 7:00 in the evening, >> right?
>> And then I assume you left, >> right?
>> Was there any discussion at that time?
>> No, his sister and I both left after I broke up with him.
>> What did you say to him and what did he say to you?
>> We had got in an argument and I was just like, "It's over. I don't want to talk to you anymore. Let's just break up."
>> Did he say anything?
>> No. A normal breakup.
>> I mean, I don't remember. Not like >> And then you left, >> right?
>> Did you subsequently come back to the house?
>> Yeah, later on that evening.
>> What time?
>> Um, it was probably around 3:00 in the morning. If you >> And who did you come back with?
>> His sister.
>> And what happened when you came back at 3:00 in the morning?
>> We went to sleep and nothing happened.
We woke >> Who went to sleep?
>> Sarah and I.
>> Where?
>> In Sarah's room.
>> Okay. So, you went to sleep at 3:00.
What happened when you got up?
>> We woke up.
>> What time? um maybe around 11 to we were going to the hospital to visit his his mom in the hospital, Sarah's mom also.
Then we went to the hospital, came back around 3 4:30 and um when I got back, I looked at my car and I noticed that it had been really bad, kicked and >> Where had you parked your car?
>> In their driveway.
>> Now, when you left at 11:00 in the morning to go to visit his mother in the hospital with your friend Sarah, >> right?
>> Did you see your car? No, I had not paid any attention to it whatsoever.
>> When was the last time you had actually looked at your car?
>> And no damage had been done to it.
>> Yeah.
>> The day before on the 27th.
>> What time?
>> Um 8.
>> 8 at night.
>> Right. When Sarah and I had left, there was nothing wrong with my car.
>> Do you have a photograph of your car after the damage?
That was from a movie, right?
Always love that movie, right? What movie was that?
>> Got to think about that one.
>> I know what it was. I know. No, no, no.
I know what it was. I know what it was.
Runaway Bride.
his Runaway Bride when he >> I didn't see that one.
>> Oh, that's a ladies movie.
>> Did you see the movie?
>> No. No. No, ma'am.
>> But you know what I mean when I say look in my eyes?
>> Yeah.
>> Try. Yes.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> So, someone did a real number on your car.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> And then you went into the house >> and called my mom, told her what had happened.
>> And that's why your mom is here, cuz the car is really your mom's.
>> Exactly.
>> Go ahead. and called the police. She told me to call the police. He was telling me, "Don't call him. It's not that big of a deal." And I called the police.
>> Well, did you ask him what happened to the car?
>> I said, "What happened?" "I don't know."
>> And he said, "I don't know."
>> Right.
>> And then you said you were going to call the police.
>> Right.
>> And what did he say when you said you were going to call the police?
>> Don't call the police. It's not that big of a deal.
>> And what did you say to him?
>> I said, "My mom says I have to." So I went ahead and called the police, made a report and when I had called the police, the officer came to his house and I had the officer came. I made a police report. He said, "Did he do it?" The police officer asked me if he did it and thought I was protecting him, but I didn't have any idea. You know, I thought in my mind that he did do it, but there was no I saw you do it. So that >> Right. So what happened next?
>> Well, after the police officer had came, he wanted to talk to me. I was really upset. I was crying. And I was really upset and I was like, "No, no, no, no."
You know, Sarah and I were getting ready. We're going to get dressed and then we were going to go out that night.
And um he we were arguing and I don't know how it all started, but he pushed me. Sarah got up. Sarah and him started fighting and then I got in the fight cuz I didn't want Sarah or either one of them to get hurt and we were all just started a big fight and then he started grabbing knives and was like, "I'm going to >> You're lying.
Go ahead. He started grabbing knives, saying he was going to kill himself first. He held it to his stomach. Then he said to his wrist and everything else. All the meanwhile, Sarah and his 9-year-old cousin are both there. And um after that um he had grabbed a steak knife and he was like, "I'm going to kill myself." We were standing over by the refrigerator. Sarah and his cousin were in the living room by the phone getting ready to call the police. And when he went like this, I put my hand like this and that's how I got stabbed.
>> So you were trying to >> prevent >> prevent him from hurting himself.
>> Exactly.
>> Okay. Did your cut require stitches?
>> Yes.
>> How many?
>> Two. But it is 2 and 1/2 cm deep. My palm is numb. Half my thumb is numb. I'm still going to hands bust your list to see.
>> Miss Bowman, I just have a couple of questions for you. You break up with this guy. He has a sister who's clearly a friend of yours. Don't you think it's a good idea that after you break up with him, you don't go back to his house and contemplate going out with a sister and hanging out with his sister so that he's aware of all these things?
>> Right. Yes.
>> Yeah.
>> His sister was my best friend. We had been >> So what? To let his sister come to your house, >> right?
>> Do you understand what I'm saying to you? It's just not smart. You know, it sort of says to him trash to you, >> right?
>> You know, I'm going out with my friends.
I'm going to go have a good time and I don't care if you're heartbroken and I don't care if you're miserable. Whatever it is, just not smart, >> right?
>> Not thinking. You know, you didn't think, >> right?
>> I tried to keep the relationship between us after the incident kind of steady.
So, >> you can't keep it steady. It was just 24 hours old.
>> I'm talking about after.
>> I'm talking about at the time of this incident. The breakup was 24 hours old and you're gallivanting around town, hanging out and doing whatever you want to do with his sister and coming home 3:00 in the morning. I mean, I'm not being judgmental about that. I'm just saying to you, don't do it in front of him.
>> Right.
>> Cuz it made him mad.
>> Right.
>> Right.
>> Right.
>> Right.
>> Real cases, real people. Judge Judy.
Jenna Bowman says ex-boyfriend John Benningfield Jr. kicked her car in a fit of jealous rage. Jenna also claims she was cut with a knife when John tried to kill himself.
>> Let us start with incident number two.
Let's hear your version of the knife incident.
>> Okay. Well, see, yeah, we we was arguing, you know, and >> what were we arguing about?
>> Yeah, I really can't remember, but we was arguing and stuff and I was like, "Well, I'm just going to leave, you know, I'm just going to get out of here." And she was like, "Well, are you going why don't you go kill yourself or why don't you go kill yourself or something like that in that area >> in that area?" And I was like, "Well, do you want me to?" cuz I was just so mad, you know, so frustrated.
>> What were you mad about?
>> Just because we broke up, you know, and I did like her kind of a lot. We went out for what, 6 months? And, you know, I mean, that's pretty longest relationship I've ever been in. And uh >> So, you were really mad?
>> Yeah. And I was just like, "Okay." And I I mean, I didn't have it up like this. I had it right here across my, you know, right here. And then my sister tried to stop me and I was trying to protect the knife so she wouldn't get cut, you know, and then I don't know what happened.
Next thing I know, she runs over here and she gets cut. And then as soon as I see she's cut, I threw the knife in the sink and then helped her, you know, tended to her. Like I got to town, you know, started I told Sarah and them to call 911 cuz I didn't know, you know, how bad it was. And then Yeah. the police came and uh >> Well, that was the second time the police had come.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Police came twice. The first time they came out the car.
>> Car. Yes, ma'am. And uh they uh Yeah. They took me they they gave me they was going to take me to jail but they >> take you to jail for what?
>> For assault with a deadly weapon.
>> Mhm.
>> Cuz I guess she was going to press charges against me, but uh they ended up didn't and then took me to rehab.
>> Well, she really assaulted herself with the deadly weapon that you were holding.
>> Yeah. Right. Right.
>> Right. That's why they took me to uh rehab to the hospital instead of take me to jail.
>> Well, there's a difference between rehab and a hospital.
>> It's in the hospital. It's it's rehab in a hospital. What kind of rehab?
>> It's a >> It's a >> I was trying to think. Uh I don't know.
It's just they got a bunch of for drugs and for people that are >> Well, for drugs.
>> Yeah.
>> Right.
>> Right.
>> Who were you hanging out with that evening?
>> Josh Ko, my friend. See, the 27th when her car was supposedly we supposedly did it, we was in uh Gap Hollowo in uh where where is it? Elizabeth, Indiana.
>> Elizabeth, Indiana. And we didn't leave there until like four o'clock in the morning. And when we left there, we went back to his house.
>> And when we got up at his house about noon, I come back to the house. And she was like, "What did you do to my car?
Why did you do this to my car?" And I'm like, >> well, at the time she left the evening before with your sister. You weren't in Gap Hollow. You weren't there. You were home. Because she said, "I'm leaving and I don't want to talk about it." When they left, >> right when they left, we pulled out of the driveway cuz he parked his truck in our second driveway and she was parked with my sister and my cousin and they was going to the hospital.
>> Who do you think kicked her car?
>> I have no idea. Cuz his truck said two weeks before we moved into that house, somebody took a baseball bat and keyed his truck.
>> Why would you tell her not to call the police?
>> I don't I don't remember saying not to call the police. I >> Yeah, he did.
>> Why would you say don't call the police?
It's no big deal.
>> I have no idea.
>> Mr. Benningfield, you have no idea, >> right? I have an idea.
>> Let me see the estimates on the car and let me see the medical bills.
>> These are the hospital bills.
>> The estimate >> and this is the estimate for my car.
>> Don't you have insurance on this car, Miss Bowman?
>> If she hits someone, we only have >> Mhm.
>> Because I'm a single parent, I can't afford the >> Mhm. That's a lot of kicking damage on that car, sir. Need really heavy boots to do a kicking job on a car like that.
>> Miss Bowman, what caused you to break up with the defendant?
>> Cuz he was controlling and he was mean.
And every time I went out with his sister, I get yelled at when I came back.
>> How old are you?
>> 16.
>> How old are you?
>> 19.
>> Did he ever use any drugs in front of you?
>> Well, okay.
>> Answer the question. The answer is yes or no.
>> Yes.
>> What kind? Xanaxes. Can I tell you something? He was taking Xanaxes the day that this >> What is Xanax?
>> Xanax is a >> depressant drug, >> right? For >> people that get panic attacks, >> right? How long have you been taking medication?
>> Like just pretty much the time we was going out.
>> Is that by doctor's prescription?
>> No, ma'am.
>> What?
>> Man, >> you take that on your own?
>> Yeah.
>> Where do you get it from?
>> Just by friends, people I know. These people that you know I assume with medical licenses know how much to prescribe for you.
>> They wouldn't prescribe. She's making me look like the bad person. She took them herself. She's done everything that I did. She's done.
>> Mr. Benningfield, the problem is that you caused some damage.
>> I I didn't do that.
>> You Oh, yeah, you did. Oh, yeah, you did. There's no question in my mind that you did. And there's also no question in my mind but for the fact that you had taken this knife and were using this knife in a way suggesting that you were going to harm yourself, she wouldn't have gotten stabbed. Now whether that was a result of taking try to pay attention. You're 19 years old. Trust me, you don't know everything.
>> You think you know everything. Maybe you think he knows everything.
You think you know everything.
But for the fact that you probably are operating only on partial cylinders because of this medication that you're taking, sir, you reacted to her breaking up with you in a way that was offbalance. Now, am I saying to you that she did the right thing by going out with your sister and still having a relationship with you? The answer is no.
I think she acted like an immature 16year-old and your chronological age is 18. Right.
>> Right.
>> Translated probably about nine.
And that's what 9-year-olds do when they don't get what they want.
>> They hit, they scratch, they mark up somebody's walls, they do a whole bunch of things.
>> She had the police involved. She went and she was going to press charges against me and I had to go up to Sersburg or Sersburg Police Department to give them a statement. They said they couldn't do nothing. She supposedly gave him all kind of, you know, witnesses that I supposedly admitted it to them.
But them same witnesses when the cop asked them, you know, did he tell you this? They was like, no.
>> I don't care what they said, sir. I'm telling you you trashed her car.
>> You want to know how I know he trashed her car?
>> Because I can see it.
I can see what happened when she left and how angry you were. How angry you were even the next day because you said that's why you grabbed the knife cuz you were so angry. Cuz you really liked her.
And here she was telling you, "I'm breaking up with you and I'm going to hang out at bars, friends, whatever with your sister and I'm leaving. Bye." And she leaves you there all by yourself with your medication and your friend.
>> Grow up. Listen, you both got to grow up. Give you some latitude because you're only 16. You're 19 and no genius, but you're going to pay for the damage.
Judgment for the plaintiff in the amount requested, which well exceeds damage to the car and your medical bills, $5,000.
That's all >> on drugs and they step out.
>> I think it was a great decision.
>> It's crap that she can see these things.
>> Two girls told me he kicked my car and that he had a new girlfriend. But I wasn't worried about the new girlfriend.
It was just a coincidence.
>> We was trying to work everything out when all this was going on. And then I just got tired of waiting and I started with this other girl that I know.
>> Finally, now she knows we all know the truth.
>> And then she found that out. And then this when all this she started suing me just to try getting money cuz she money money. Don't date psychos.
>> And now the next case.
>> All parties in the matter of Merrick versus Black. Step forward, please.
>> 19-year-old salesperson Kathleen Merrick is suing her former friend, 19-year-old college student Katherine Black for the return of a snowboard.
>> Hi, Miss Merrick. You and Miss Black used to be friends. It is your claim that you loaned her a snowboard while you were friends. You're no longer friends. You want it back. She said it was a gift, right? Yes.
>> That's what this is about. When did the snowboard leave your possession and go into her possession?
>> About a year ago, around this time.
>> Tell me how that happened.
>> Um, we were friends and she wanted to go snowboarding and I had an extra snowboard so I lent it.
>> Where'd you get an extra snowboard?
>> I had two snowboards >> from where?
>> My mom bought them for me. I had >> No, that's not true. Your mother did not buy both for you.
>> I had two snowboards at my house. I have two.
>> I didn't I didn't ask you whether you had two at your house. I said to you where did you get them and you just said your mother bought both of them for you.
That's not true. one you mother may have bought for you. Where did the other one come from?
>> The other one I got I was was purchased by mother too.
>> Where did the other one come from?
>> Um at first she bought one and she went snowboarding and she winded up doing something on the mountain and it broke.
So her mom sent it away and while her mom bought her a new one while it was away, shipped away and by the time they got it back she already had her other one.
>> I'm going to read you from your answer.
You said it started in October when she broke up with her ex-boyfriend and decided to get back a snowboard that was given to him as a gift while they were together. Did you forget that you wrote that?
>> No, not at all.
>> We went and asked his younger sister to go up and get it without him knowing.
Once we got it in the car, she decided she had no use for it. Doesn't that sound familiar to you?
>> Yes, your honor. Mhm.
>> So, according to your answer, she had given the snowboard to a old boyfriend as a present. When they broke up, the two of you went and took it back, right?
>> Yes.
>> And he wasn't there at the time. You got in the car and she said, "I have one already so you could have this one."
>> Yes.
>> I'm so glad at least I had my story straight.
>> Does that sound familiar to you?
>> Yes.
We went to go get the snowboard back from the person's house and I had the snowboard and I lent it to her to use cuz we were going to go snowboarding together. She gave it to me as a gift because get out.
>> In the matter of Mendoza versus Orosco has been sworn in. Judge, you may be seated. Ladies have seats.
>> Well, you're the two fathers, both daughters here.
>> Yes.
>> Yes.
>> One of the two fathers sit down for a minute and have the two girls up here.
>> Your first name is >> Cinnamon.
>> And yours?
>> Irene. You were using your father's car.
>> Um, yeah. He's the primary owner, but we're both on the car.
>> He's the owner.
>> Yeah.
>> What kind of car were you driving?
>> Uh, 2001 Kia Rio.
>> Is she a friend of yours?
>> Yeah.
>> How long have you known her?
>> Uh, we've known each other for about 3 years.
>> And you knew how old she was at the time of this accident?
>> Yeah.
>> And you knew she didn't have a driver's license?
>> Yeah.
>> Tell me on what day this accident occurred?
>> Um, on July 4th. And you tell me in your own words how she came into possession of the car of your father's car.
>> Uh we were riding around in Chino where her father lives and just looking around different stores and then I had to go to work and I had like a whole bunch of my clothes in the back and we we had like come both of us come up with the idea of well since I'm at work and I don't get out till like way early in the morning.
She said well maybe I could take the clothes to my father's house. And I said okay that sounds fine. You know I you know I trust you. And so I gave her the keys to the car and um then she took the car and I was at work and after that I got a phone call at work that my car had been in an accident.
>> Did you ask her if you could have the car?
>> No. It was a mutual decision that if she drove to work and uh I would drive the car back to my father's house.
>> Did you have any discussion about you not having a license?
>> Uh yes.
>> Tell me about that discussion.
>> She was like, "You don't have a license?" And I was like, "I know." Um, I don't know. It's just we don't I don't have a license. And then she was like, well, I was like, oh, I'm a safe driver.
And she was like, okay.
>> Now, how did you have this accident?
>> I was um after she had dropped I took the car from I got on the freeway and uh I was driving back to Chino. We were in City of Industry. Um I was in the farthest left lane, but not the carpal lane. I guess the second the fastest lane, >> fastest lane without a license.
>> I was going 65.
>> Yeah. And um this is going 20.
>> Okay. I was going ahead.
>> There was a blue van on the side of me and a white Camry tailgating me. And there was a car coming up on the carpool lane. Half of the car was in front of um the Kia and then it started moving into my lane. The white Camry was um >> It's getting too complicated. How did you have the accident?
>> I'm telling you.
>> Well, it's getting too complicated. Did you hit somebody or did they hit you?
>> No, nobody hit nobody. I was That's what I'm telling you.
>> Well, just tell me. The car flipped over. The car hit a guardrail.
>> Well, I slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting somebody and it hit the back end hit the guardrail and I swerved to the exit lane by the diamond bar exit.
>> Okay. All wouldn't have happened if you weren't behind the wheel of the car.
>> I know.
>> And maybe wouldn't have happened if you weren't driving in the passing lane.
>> I know.
>> Right.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Now, what's the damage on the car?
>> The total damage came about to about $7,000.
>> Mhm. Now, now I'll have the fathers up here with the girls. Stay with the girls.
Mr. Rossco, you are divorced from your daughter's mother. Is that right?
>> Yes.
>> Who does she live with?
>> Her mother.
>> Is that by a court order?
>> Yes.
>> So, her mother has custody of the child?
>> Yes.
>> And you pay child support?
>> Yes, I do. Where I used to? Not no more.
>> No more because she turned 18.
>> Yes.
>> Now, Mr. Mendoza, according to your complaint, you contacted the mother >> Yes.
>> of this young lady. And you said it is your view that this accident was the fault of both girls.
>> Yes.
>> So that you should split the cost.
>> Exactly.
>> And her mother said, "Okay, I'll pay $1,500 and her father should pay $1,500."
>> Well, originally, judge, what I had intended to do was file a claim for $5,000. Total damage was about $7,000.
What I did >> file a claim against who?
>> Uh against both of them for $5,000. both uh uh her father and her mother.
>> I thought you were going to file a claim for $5,000 against your daughter.
>> No.
>> Why not? It's her fault.
>> Well, it it I felt it was both them involved their fault.
>> Oh, did you?
>> Okay. Uh uh so because of that, I figured it was only fair for me to uh file the claim not for $5,000, but make my daughter be responsible for more than half of the damage because she was equally as fought, forgiving of the keys. So, uh, I figured it with $3,000, uh, settlement would more than justify it. So, that's what I did. I went for the $3,000. Irene's mother said she agreed with that and paid me $1,500. She said I would get the other $1,500. I would have to get the other $1,500 from Mr. Arosco. I then sent a letter to him stating this.
>> Why didn't you send the letter to your insurance company?
>> Because the insurance company would not cover it.
>> Why not? Uh they said that because of the driver involved in the accident was under 25 and did not have a license.
>> Right.
>> We did contact the insurance company.
>> Of course you did. And they disclaimed because you gave the car to your daughter to drive. Your daughter did the wrong thing and your insurance company wouldn't cover the damage.
>> Exactly.
>> Why do you think that he should?
>> Well, cuz his daughter was driving. I felt they were both irresponsible. So why not?
>> He doesn't have custody of his daughter.
>> He had custody at that time. and they were staying at his home. Judge Judy, 18-year-old Cinnamon Mendoza says she loaned her car to friend 18-year-old Irene Arosco. Cinnamon claims Irene drove it on the freeway and wrecked it.
>> Her mother cannot obligate him just because she says get the other half.
>> I didn't ask her to obligate him. I I asked him for it. I didn't say anything to her about obligating him. It was aware to us that her mother said on the divorce decree that they were they had joint custody, but um Irene chose to live with her mother and they have two other sons that live with him. But they do have joint custody.
>> What does Irene do now? Does Irene go to school?
>> I have a full-time job. I was going to school, but I couldn't I couldn't pay for uh to go to JC.
>> But now you have a full-time job.
>> Yes, I and I need to pay this off if if I had to pay my um my aunt back >> for what? because she let my mother borrow the 1500.
>> Oh, she did. So, first you paid your aunt back.
>> I need to pay my aunt back. That's why I got a full-time job.
>> Oh, that's fine. And now you're 18.
>> Yes.
>> What kind of work are you doing?
>> I work at a fast food right now.
>> Are you living at home?
>> Uh, yes, I do.
>> So, you have no expenses until you pay this off?
>> Um, I'm paying my bills that I have, the phone bill, and whatever my expenses, my personal needs, my clothing, my shoes, everything.
>> Right. You see no reason for your father to pay this, do you?
>> No. No, I don't.
>> Good. I don't either.
>> I think that's unfair, but that's up to you.
>> Oh, I don't think that that's unfair, Mr. Mendoza.
>> Yes, it is.
>> I will draw an analogy for you, sir. Let us assume that Irene, instead of being 17 years old at the time of this accident, was 10 years old. Still a minor, right? Still a minor. Still had no driver's license. And your daughter said, "You want to take the car for a little spin? She's 10. You think her father should be responsible?
>> Yes.
>> Oh, no.
>> Well, that's your opinion. My opinion is he should >> Oh, no. In the eyes of the law, she's the adult. She's 18. You have given her, you have deemed your daughter responsible enough to drive to be totally responsible for the safety of a weapon. Car can be used in the hands of somebody who is not responsible as a weapon. You gave her that responsibility. He didn't give his daughter the responsibility of driving the car. I don't know how old you have to be here to get a license. 16, 17, 18.
What do you have to be?
>> 17 and a2.
>> 17 and a half. So, for some reason, she did not have a driver's license. Now, I don't know whether that's because her parents decided she wasn't mature enough. Her parents decided that it wasn't the right thing when she was 17, but she didn't have a driver's license.
So, her parents said, "No driver's license for you." You said to your daughter, "Not only can you have a driver's license, you can also have a car." They didn't make that choice. You did. And if your daughter wasn't responsible enough not to safeguard that car and not give the keys to somebody who was not equipped to drive it. I don't see why they're responsible at all. The fact that you got $1,500 from the mother is a gift. He's not responsible. If she wants to do the right thing, she'll pay you back the money.
>> So could a three-year-old.
But she's still driving her mother's car.
>> So could at the time of >> this >> without a license to >> that has nothing to do with it. Then if she's in a then if she's in an accident, then she's driving her mother's car without without a license. If the car is in an accident, they could lose their house. They could get their their wages garnished. They could lose all their bank accounts. I'm talking about you and your daughter. You felt as if your daughter was responsible enough so that you could give her a 2000 a brand new 2001 car and said to her, "This is yours. Be careful with it. Be responsible with it." She acted irresponsibly.
He did not give his daughter permission to drive that car. In effect, you did because your daughter was acting as your agent. So, I think that if you want to do the right thing from your now full-time job, you will see to it that your friend gets her money so that she is not responsible for these damages anymore. The fact that the insurance company disclaimed, there's a good reason for that. The insurance company disclaimed because they said you had no right to give an underage, uninsured person the keys to the car. I say the same thing. This case is over. might as well. They step out.
>> She came home said she had an accident and first she told me it was her.
>> She should have taken responsibility.
Never handed the keys to my daughter.
>> It caused a lot of tension, but we're still friends. I mean, it's money.
>> We're not.
>> Money is an object. Friendships, you know, forever.
>> I was just happy that she's alive.
>> And now the next case.
>> All parties in the matter. Smith versus Smith. Step forward. 60-year-old singer MNA Smith is suing her daughter-in-law, 33-year-old computer specialist Candy Smith, for an unpaid loan to hire an attorney.
>> Mrs. Smith, the defendant is your daughter-in-law.
>> Yes, she is.
>> According to your complaint, there came a time when your daughter-in-law needed some money. She needed some money for an attorney because she was going to be involved in a custody dispute with her former husband. You have two children from your prior marriage and you loaned her the money. Yes. $5,000 and it is your claim that she has not repaid you.
>> She has not repaid >> and your daughter-in-law believes that she has the right to offset that money and she's going to explain that to me.
When did you make this loan?
>> I made the loan May 1st, 2000.
>> Do you have the cancelled check?
>> Yes.
>> Can I see it, please?
And this is also my sleep.
Okay. What was your agreement with regard to repaying this loan? She told me what she would do would on her pay days, she would deposit money into my account. However, that did not happen.
So finally I went through my son and I asked when she would start making the repayments and she decided that she would make the payments but she wanted to put them into my savings account instead of my checking account and I felt she had no right to know what was in my savings account. And um she was very inquisitive about my money and how it was spent.
>> Okay. And as of today's date you have received no money from this no $5,000.
And you acknowledged that. But for your defense, you had did not repay this money out of paychecks or anything else.
>> No.
>> Okay. Now I'll hear your defense.
>> Actually, what happened was that at this time when we had moved into the house, she had given >> what house?
>> We we had purchased a house together.
She had actually sold her previous residence and she had used the money the the down payment to purchase a house so that we all can um live together and we were sort of helping each other out >> and help yourselves as well, >> right? and and and and >> so what was the arrangement? She put the down payment on this new house.
>> Correct.
>> How much was the down payment on the new house?
>> $100,000.
>> She put down the $100,000 on a house that you were all living in together.
>> Correct. It was under my husband's name.
>> Was there a mortgage on this house?
>> Yes, there was.
>> How much was the mortgage?
>> $185,000.
>> And I gather from your papers that you and your husband make the mortgage payments.
>> Correct.
>> How much were the mortgage payments?
>> $1,73.
>> 1703. And how many people in your from your family, you and your husband, you have a child together?
>> Yes, we have one child together and two children from my previous marriage.
>> So there are five of you all together.
>> Correct.
>> And how many people other than your mother-in-law were living in the house?
>> The grandmother and also the um the uncle, >> grandmother or uncle paying any money towards the house?
>> He needs to answer. I can't answer.
>> Step up.
>> Mr. Smith, how much money was your uncle paying to the house? My uncle was scheduled to pay $400 a month, but unfortunately that rarely happened.
>> What about your grandmother?
>> No, nothing.
>> Okay. How many months did you live in the house?
>> It include January. 8 months.
>> How many mortgage payments did you make?
Because that's your defense to this action. How many mortgage payments did you personally make?
>> Roughly eight months.
>> You have proof of those payments?
>> She'll have proof that you were getting mortgage.
>> What is that? This is >> this is the household account that my son and I had to make payments for anything regarding the house. This is how our bills were paid. Can I see?
And I'll see your checks for the mortgage payments.
>> That unfortunately that I do not have. I didn't know that was going to come into question.
>> You need a bill though, right?
>> I have a bill.
>> No, I don't need a bill. I need the mortgage payments. Your defense, Mrs. Smith, right, >> is that wasn't working out and the house was going to be sold. Wasn't working out with all you folks living together. And your mother-in-law insisted that the deed be turned back to her.
>> It was. And you believe that you can set off the number of mortgage payments that you made on the house against the $5,000 that you owe her. That's your defense.
No, in a nutshell, >> not exactly. Not exactly. I'm sorry. Can I Can I clear this up? Okay. My defense is that because of some illegal activities that took place, we had no other choice but to move.
>> No, no, no, no, no. I don't want to hear that.
>> Yes. We had to move out of the house within two weeks. We had told her we were selling the house because of what was going on. With the money that we had, we had to use >> We had to actually use a lot of money to leave the house when we shouldn't have had to leave the house.
>> Is that your defense?
>> We shouldn't have to have >> Just a second. Is that your defense?
>> Well, yes. that because of what you perceived to be some illegal activity that was going on in the house, you chose to move, which was a very good judgment, and you believe that your mother-in-law owes you money. The money that you had to spend to find a new place, >> right? That is included with the money that we spent with the mortgage. This is all tied together.
>> Well, so I've got to eliminate your first defense. Your first defense is no defense. Now, let's get to the mortgage payments that you say you made. Do you have any other checks?
>> And the only checks that I would use for the mortgage payments was the household account.
>> Okay. And who put money into the household account?
>> Was my wife, myself, and then my mother.
>> And your mother?
>> Yes.
>> Well, how much money did you put into the account?
>> My brother.
>> Just a minute. How much money and the $400? And how much money did you put into the account every month?
>> $18,900 a month I put into that account.
Now, my next question to you is the house was sold.
>> Um, actually, my son went and got a $20,000 uh loan that I didn't know about.
>> Loan for what?
>> Against the house?
>> Yes.
>> Did you get a $20,000 loan against the house?
>> Yes, I did. Ma'am.
>> Did you pay it back?
>> I I didn't have an opportunity to.
>> Oh, no. Did you pay it back?
>> I was I was paying the loan back to the people that I I got the loan from.
>> Did you put in any money towards the down payment?
>> Towards the down payment? No. So, she has $100,000 in the down payment, right?
>> Right. She has $100,000. You have Zippo.
You can't off I mean, first of all, you can't offset it anyway, but it's not even reasonable to offset it cuz if your mother goes to sell the house now, there's a $20,000 loan that you took out that's going to be deducted from the sale price of that house. Did you consult with your mother before you took out this loan? Did she say was okay?
>> I didn't need to. I didn't need her permission on that.
>> Well, that you don't need her permission on this either. You owe her $5,000.
That's what you owe her. That's what you borrow. That's what you repay.
>> Found in a matter of Marapino versus wages. Pauseman sworn in. Judge, you may be seated. Folks, have seats, please.
>> Miss Maraphino, you and the defendant were married, divorced, and according to your complaint, tried to reconcile. The reconciliation did not work out. And it is your claim that the defendant has a television set that belongs to you in addition to other personal property.
>> Yes. The defendant says that the television set was a gift to him and he has a counter claim. Counter claim says that you cleaned out his bank accounts that you own for some medical bills and some important papers that he wants. Is that right?
>> That's correct.
>> So, let's get some dates. When did you try this reconciliation?
>> Um, I moved back in on December of 2000.
>> For how long?
>> I moved out again on March 20th.
>> Okay. And when did you purchase this television set?
>> March 2nd. It was purchased.
>> What kind of television?
>> It was a Mitsubishi large screen 50-in.
I believe >> a man's television.
>> You want me to tell you how I know that, Mr. Marapino? Bird, don't look so disgusted. I'm going to tell you.
>> I have a a lovely living room in my house that I spent a great deal of time trying to make just perfect. Right. The corner as you walk in is this monster 55 in television set that is the ugliest thing I ever saw.
It's not mine.
>> This one's mine, your honor.
>> Okay. So, tell me the circumstances surrounding you purchasing it.
>> Um, we discussed it and I said that I would buy it and I bought it. There was no mention of a gift. It was not a gift.
>> It's not true.
>> Mr. M, I'll get to you in a minute. At that point, you were living together as a family. Is that right?
>> Correct. We were not married at the time.
>> I understand. But you were living together as a family. Yes.
>> How are the bills being handled?
>> Um, my income and his income went into one joint account and they were paid out of that one account.
>> Is that correct?
>> That's correct.
>> Okay. Where did the money come from for this television set?
>> From the joint account or from your individual account?
>> You have to excuse I only have a copy of my tax income return.
>> Just answer my question. Okay.
>> The money.
>> Did you pay? Was it >> cash income refund?
>> Did you pay cash?
>> No.
>> For this television set?
>> It was a check >> from where?
>> Our joint account.
>> That's what I'm asking you. So, let's just get to it. What you're saying is you both pulled your money into a joint account.
>> Yes.
>> And from that, you paid all the bills.
>> Yes.
>> And when you got your income tax refund, it went into the joint account.
>> Yes. And it was from the joint account that the television was paid from.
>> Yes.
>> Is that right?
>> That's correct.
>> Now, you explained to me why, sir, you believe this was a gift to you.
>> Basically, um I had wanted a big screen TV and um we were saving up money to make that purchase or whatever. um she said she was going to be getting her income tax check back and put it in the account and that she was gonna um buy this TV for me as a present and eventually we were going to save up some more money and and the agreement was that eventually I would we would purchase a hot tub basically that's what she wanted.
>> Did you get a tax refund that year?
>> Did I get a tax refund? Yes. It was after we had separated already.
>> Let's say sir that this was not a gift to you. This was something that was purchased for the household. For the household.
>> Okay.
>> Then you would have to distribute the property.
Now, let's say this came out of joint funds.
>> Mhm.
>> But you kept the property, right?
>> That's correct.
>> And it's brand new property. It's not something that was purchased 10 years ago.
>> That's correct.
>> You got to pay for it unless you want to give it the television set.
>> That's correct.
>> Oh, then we've resolved the whole issue.
How much was the television set?
>> 19 your honor.
>> $1,960.
>> I have a letter here though stating that she had accepted her losses and that she's moved on.
>> Your honor, that is before I filed the lawsuit.
>> Just a minute. I'll take a look at your letter.
>> I'll take a look at your letter.
>> That was a letter I received a few days after she had come and um taken everything. You mean you you want me to read the part where she says, "I've cut my losses with my possessions and have moved on."
>> Right. Correct.
>> Gave her the money for the television set, sir. You watching it? You watching it? It's in your house.
>> Yes.
>> Then you pay her for it. It came out of a joint account.
>> But as you said, most of it was paid for, or if not all of it was paid for out of all of it was paid out of her money. And the expectation was you were going to save up some of more of your joint money and buy her what she wanted.
>> The relationship terminated before that.
So, she never got her end of the deal, which was our hot tub, >> right?
>> That's correct. But >> good.
>> Okay.
>> $1,960 television set. Personal property. What kind of personal property are you talking about?
>> Um, my son's sporting goods stuff. I had a police escort so there wouldn't be any problems. The police officer told us both that whatever he said I could have is what I could get because he owned the home. I asked for a walk through of the house. I didn't really see anything and the TV was nowhere in the house. Anyway, my stuff and my son's stuff.
>> Where'd you move the TV?
>> Your honor, >> where'd you move the TV? It's a big TV to move. Where'd you move it?
>> Uh to a friend's house.
>> Why?
>> Why?
>> Because I didn't want any trouble. I didn't want to be fighting and starting to fight. She We had problems with our relationship. Um she left. She cleared out the whole >> I'll get to your account claim in a minute, sir. Do you have her son's sporting equipment?
>> Yes, I do. Where is it?
>> It's in the garage.
>> Good. You give it to him. What else?
>> That's >> um assorted clothes, assorted kitchen stuff. Forget it. Um a treadmill. You have her treadmill, >> your honor. That treadmill was at the house and when she came to get her possessions, she said that it would not fit in her house and she left it on the back patio.
>> It's still there.
>> Yeah, it's still there.
>> You want to make arrangements to go and get it? Go and get it. Well, your honor, it's been out in the rain. It was It was >> You should have filed your lawsuit before. You're not going to get money for it. Real cases, real people. Judge Judy. Maria Marafhino says ex-husband Felix Wages owes for a big screen TV and the return of her property.
>> Now, you say that she cleaned out a bank account. What bank account did you clean out and when?
>> It was our joint account basically the the day after she had left.
>> Can I see it?
>> It's all highlighted the amounts and the day she had done it.
>> Just a minute.
Did you withdraw money from the checking account?
>> I There was $1,400 in the checking account. I took out 700.
>> There was two right in a row there, your honor. One for 700, one for 726 right underneath it.
>> Yeah. And you must have took that out because your honor, I did not. Well, there's one on the 25th and there's one on the 26th, so I can't tell. You might have taken one out the next day. Is that possible?
>> Uh that not that I recall. I did not.
Not that you recall.
>> Well, I know for a fact I did not.
>> Fine.
>> She was going to clean out the checking account. She would have done it on the same day.
>> Also, your honor.
>> Well, now, your honor, on there on the second page, you can see she went back into the account the next month and withdrew more money out of the account.
She proceeded to use >> You're talking about $41.75.
>> Your honor, I did $40 out and 175, I think, was a little ATM charge.
>> Why did you take it out the following month?
>> Because um I needed food, groceries. I went out. already taken out your half.
>> Oh, yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am.
>> So, he gets credit for $41. Okay. Now, the savings account you took.
>> There was $35 in the savings, >> and I took out 300 of it.
>> That's not half. Did you both put money in the savings account?
>> No, your honor. He has a business account that he was putting money in as well that had over $1,000 in it at the time.
>> No, I may. That doesn't answer my question. Were you both putting money in the savings account?
>> Yes. then you we're only entitled to half, not the entire amount. Okay. So, he gets credit for 150. Okay.
>> Can I explain why I'm actually asking for more money?
>> No, I'm not interested. Why you're actually asking for more money?
>> Well, your honor, >> I'm not interested. Anybody who takes the television out of the house so that it's not there. I'm not interested in what they have to say about that. She took out half. You You have half. Now, let's hear about the medical bill, sir.
That's another part of your counter claim. Um, when we had gotten back together again, um, I had received an income tax check, I had, uh, signed the income tax check over, um, to her to get, uh, a breast enhancement. And basically, I figured if she could give this TV as a present to me and ask for it back, that that was a present to her.
>> He'd like my implants back.
>> Forget it. What's next? It's an interesting theory. Let's go. Next.
Papers.
>> She has um papers from the house.
Mortgage papers and everything like that.
>> Is the house in your name?
>> Yes, it is.
>> Those his papers?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Give them to him.
>> This was in one of the garbage can bags that he packed of my stuff.
>> It's not fairly organized. $1.91. So, $1,769 for the television set if he's going to keep it.
>> Your honor, that's out of a joint account. I don't understand that.
>> Is it back in your house?
>> Yes, it's in my house.
>> You moved it back?
>> Yes. pay for it. Even listen to me.
Listen to me. Even if I take what your excuse for this television set was as gospel, the agreement was that since she was getting the money at that point and you want I'm speaking and you're not receiving.
>> Okay, I'm hearing what you're saying, your honor. that the television set was going to be purchased first and then when you got your money, your tax refund, you would purchase the hot tub with your money that would go into the joint accounts because that's what she wanted. Well, that contract was never fulfilled. It was never fulfilled because you I'm speaking and you're not receiving. You're going to try to talk around me, over me, through me. It's not going to work. Your contract therefore with her was not fulfilled. Then she gets either the television back or the money for the television back. $1,769 of judgment for the plaintiff. That's all.
>> Parties are excused. You may step out.
>> After now, we will never be together again.
>> I think he's a selfish, evil man.
>> And now the next case.
>> All parties on Mhler versus Stevens.
Step forward, please. Commercial pilot Doug Muller is suing his neighbors, Roger and Jackie Stevens, and their son, 17-year-old Brian. Doug says Brian purposefully damaged his daughter's bicycle. The Stevens are counter suing for the cost of a bike and damage to their screen door.
>> Mr. Motor, it is your claim that the defendant's son damaged your daughter's bike.
>> That's correct. The defendant says that he caused no damage to the bike and they are counter claiming because they say that their daughter's bike was stolen from your backyard and it's your fault.
B that your son tore a hole in their screen door. You weren't there during this bike incident?
>> No, ma'am. I wasn't.
>> I'd like you to sit down.
>> Okay.
>> And your children up here.
>> Now, you weren't present either. Is that right?
>> Correct. So you can sit down.
Leaving the alleged perpetrator standing. When did this happen?
>> Around midsummer last year.
>> Tell me about the day.
>> Um, we went over to see my cousin. That way I always play with him.
>> You have to speak up cuz I can't hear you. Tell me your first name.
>> Timothy Mohler.
>> All right, Timothy, keep your voice up.
You hear the way I'm talking?
>> Yeah.
>> Try to do it.
>> Okay, >> good.
>> Okay, go ahead.
>> Brian started jumping up and down on the bike. That's Brian.
>> Yeah.
>> What were you doing on the bike?
>> I was sitting on it. I've never never seen a bike like that before. So, I was testing out the shocks.
>> Testing out the shocks. All right.
>> And how, Brian, were you testing out the shocks?
>> I bounced up and down on the seat a couple times and lifted the front tire off the ground about 2 in and then let it go. It >> was a girl's bike, wasn't it?
>> No, it wasn't. It >> was a boy's bike.
>> Yeah.
>> Big or little?
>> It was big. It was a 20 in.
>> Your honor, could I give you a photograph of the bicycle as evidence?
>> Yes, I'd like to see it.
This is a photograph of the bicycle with a bicycle license. And it shows that these are actually children's bicycles.
>> Quite a bit smaller than an adult would be riding.
>> Mhm. Small.
>> I didn't think it was.
>> Small.
>> Okay.
>> Okay. Who told you you could get on the bike?
>> Nobody.
>> Can I see the wheel, please?
>> How old are you?
>> 17.
>> So, get a job. Pay for the Pay for the wheel. Wheel's all bent.
Wheels all bent. Would you step up, sir?
Okay. Make very quick work of this part of the case. Your son got on a bike without permission, tested out the springs, didn't ride it the way it was supposed to be ridden. And they say as a result of that, the wheel was broken.
So, >> well, according to my witness, my daughter and my son, when he got off, it was still on the kickstand. She got back on it. She rode home on it. We felt that if he had have done it, she would have went home. If she'd have done it right then, he she'd have went home and told her father, "Hey, Brian just damaged my bike." But the story that we got is that the next day or so, he noticed the damage, came to the children and said, "What happened to your bike?" Uh, we're not sure. We think maybe when Brian was on it, you know, and so we just we just don't feel that he did it. It may have happened later. And >> well, what you feel is irrelevant.
>> Okay.
>> Relevant facts are he got on a bike without permission. He was testing the shocks. He's a big boy. He jumped up and down. I mean, at least he's telling the truth. Now, when you went to ride the bike home, did you see anything different in riding the bike?
>> The bicycle wheel was rubbing up against the side of the bike.
>> And did you feel that before he had gotten on the bike to test it?
>> No, ma'am. I didn't.
>> Okay. So, now I need the bill.
I mean, it's not malicious. It's not terrible, but you pay the bill. $106. Is that what it cost?
>> Mhm.
>> Good. Now, let's get what?
>> Your honor, could I speak for just a second, please?
>> Sure.
>> What we've heard here is is in a large part a fabrication. In fact, I'd like to call Michelle Stevens as a witness. If I could, please.
>> Second, sir, you just won your case. Why do you have to call?
>> I know, but there's a little bit more than $106 involved here.
>> What?
>> It cost me $27 to file this in small claims court in Witchaw, Kansas.
>> Oh, okay.
>> And uh there was more damage to it than just the wheel. The handlebar extensions were damaged. The pedals were damaged.
The bicycle seat was torn up.
>> I asked for the bill to fix it.
>> Yeah, you got the bill.
>> You got the bill. $106.40.
>> That's correct.
>> That's the bill that you gave me.
>> That's correct.
>> So, >> well, that's I guess that's the end of the story then. That >> That's the end of the story.
>> All right.
>> You just Okay, it >> very good.
>> This is not a major toxic waste pollution case.
>> I understand.
>> A bent bicycle wheel. All right. Let me get to the bottom line of your case which I've read. Let me see if I understand it. Your daughter was playing over at their house. The plaintiff wants to go someplace and according to you, he said to the kids, "Why don't you just put the bikes in the backyard?" Daughter put her bike in their backyard. The bike was stolen. And based on that, you believe it's his fault, >> his responsibility.
>> No, that's wrong. How old is your daughter?
>> 13.
>> So, she had the capacity to say, "I'm going to go put my bike in the in my garage." I wish she did. And he said, "No, just put it in our backyard. We won't be gone very long." And both both of the girls bicycles got stolen.
>> You want to go further and tell me about this torn screen?
>> Um, this is just um uh what I get from the kids. This was last summer.
>> Did you tear the screen in Mr. Steven's house?
>> No, ma'am.
>> You have a witness with regard to the torn screen?
>> Yes.
>> I'll hear you, Brian. I was inside the house and these two kids and my sister were inside and I was trying to watch TV and they were being loud. So, they went outside. I locked the door so they were locked out. I heard a noise at my window and I opened the curtain and Timothy was there with a stick poking a hole through it.
>> Did you poke a hole through the screen?
>> Uh-uh. Did you replace the screen?
>> No, but I have an estimate to have it replaced.
>> You went through a whole summer with a screen with a hole in it from a stick?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Get a patch.
I can understand why you're aggravated, but it's unfortunate that people who had a rather pleasant relationship have any tension because of this. That's your fault. They're all a lot younger than you are. So, the first thing that happened was you locked your sister and her two friends out of the house because you wanted to watch television in peace.
Is that what happened with the screen?
Stupid. Then you got on a bike, jumped up and down on the bike, not your bike, and bent the wheel. Bent the wheel. also stupid. As a result of that, two families which had I assume gotten along reasonably well together if you let your daughter go with the plaintiff before have any kind of friction out. Very, very stupid. Judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $133.
>> Morris, president Warner, Judge, you may be seated, young lady. Have a seat, please.
>> All right, this is a little complicated.
Let me see if I can simplify it. Miss Dawkins, according to your complaint, about a year ago, your boyfriend was arrested and was incarcerated. The defendant was a friend and also was a parallegal by trade. You claim that you paid the defendant $2500, that she said that she had an attorney who would be very good for your boyfriend and that the $2,500 was a retainer. And then later when he was given a public defender, she said that she would work with the public defender to file motions and do other things in her capacity as a parallegal. Is that correct?
>> Yes.
>> Subsequently, you found out from the attorney, the public defender, >> who had been assigned to represent your boyfriend that he told her to stay out of it and not do anything. So, you want your $2,500 back, >> right?
>> Is that this case?
>> That's it.
Miss Morris says that the $2,500 was in fact paid to her, but it was for the return of a loan. Now, first tell me, just my own information, what was your boyfriend arrested for?
>> It was It's for a murder. He's still in prison right now, >> and he still has a public defender, >> right?
>> Did the attorney who Miss Morris said that was she had that would be very good for your boyfriend, did he ever appear in court?
>> Uh, no. When did you give her this $2,500?
>> In November of 2000.
>> Did you give it to her in check or cash?
>> I sent her a money order with cash.
>> You have a copy of that money order?
>> Yes.
>> I'd like to see it, please.
>> Well, Western Union have proceeded.
>> Like to see it.
>> I'd like you to tell me, Miss Dawkins, about the discussion that you had with her when you sent her this check. Um, like you said, my boyfriend had went to prison and because of that, we called on Pette for legal advice and she told us that she would see what she could do and she told me that he would need a lawyer and she had a friend that she was going to talk to. So, she did that. I talked to Pette a couple days later and she told me that if I got $10,000 that we would be able to retain this lawyer. Um, all I had at that time was 2500 and his mother tried to come up with the rest of the money but we couldn't. So, he was given um a conflict panel attorney and we left it alone because we knew we weren't going to come in with the rest of the money. Then she told me that she had spoke with his attorney and that they agreed to work on >> the attorney who was assigned to him >> was assigned to him. Yes. She told me that she had spoke with him and that they agreed to work on the case together. But since he got paid through the state that I would have to give her the money that I had already had, the $2,500 for her to file the motions and to um do some research on her own on my boyfriend's behalf.
>> Is that when you sent the money?
>> Yes.
>> Go ahead.
>> I sent the money from out of state because I was out there with some family. When I came back from out of state, I had got a hold of his attorney and he told me that he told Pette not to get involved with the case because she couldn't do anything but hurt it. I got suspicious about it because I had talked to my boyfriend. when he told me Plet had not attended any court dates since I had sent her the money.
>> Okay, Miss Morris, I will hear you.
>> First of all, your honor, I've never seen or met Jessica before in my life.
This is my first time ever laying eyes on her. Um, as far as >> you were a friend of her boyfriends?
>> Yeah, I he calls me mom. I'm kind of like a mentor to him. And >> not such a good mentor if he's in jail for murder.
>> No, that >> Okay, go ahead. Go ahead. Um, prior to him being arrested, I've been helping him try to find a job. He's been, he's really was pushing the pedal on finding a job. He eventually found a job. The date that he started his job, he got arrested, being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Prior to that, I had loaned the ex-boyfriend a total of $1,200 to help him with her to move into an apartment complex to get on his feet.
And he told me that he would pay me back $100 a month. Mom, I will pay you $100 a month until I pay you back. And that's fine. It's no problem. I'm I'm a gambler, your honor.
>> So, you loaned him $1,200.
>> I loaned him $1,200.
>> Right.
>> And what he asked me to do was to find him an attorney, which I did. I had a friend who practices in um criminal law.
I have never I'm really get offended when someone refers to me as a parallegal because I've never even held myself out to be a parallegal. I don't even do parallegal work. I'm not following you, Miss Mars. Is it your claim that you loaned the ex-boyfriend money and this $2500 was repayment of that loan?
>> $1,200.
>> 1,200.
>> Okay.
>> Okay. No. Is that your claim? The $1,200 is a repayment of the loan.
>> Correct.
>> Okay. And what's the rest of the money for?
>> Okay. I went on behalf of him and I gathered a lot of information out on the streets that I could get a lot better than investigators could get. And I gave the information to an investigator for the attorney and at some point I didn't feel comfortable with it. So I gave the rest of the information to the um the Met unit, which is like a smash unit, a drug unit. In the meantime, Randy called me and asked me if I would take first, he called my daughter to ask if she would take his son because his son was in um some very serious danger. The son at the time was only 4 months old, 14 months old. Miss Dawkins here was in possession of Ry's son when the murder occurred. He was begging my daughter to take the baby. My daughter couldn't. So, he says, "I'll ask mom." And I told him I would do it for $2,500 until he gets out because raising a baby is not cheap.
They couldn't come up with the full $2500. So I said, "Okay, the 12 and the 13 2500. I will go ahead and do it. When you get out, him, the ex-boyfriend, and her were supposed to take the baby."
Well, it ends up that he's still there.
He's not in prison, your honor.
>> Where is he?
>> He's in in a county jail. He's not been tried. He's not in prison. the the county jail. He's whatever. He's not free, >> right?
>> Where did you get this money from, >> Miss Tawkins?
>> I had it saved up.
>> And I have a letter. This is your money.
>> Yes, I have a letter from Randy showing exactly why she took the money. It doesn't say anything about a loan that was given to him or >> this is the person who was incar, right?
>> Real cases, real people. Judge Judy.
Jessica Dawkins says she gave money to her ex-boyfriend's friend, Pette Morris, so she could retain a lawyer on his behalf. Jessica says Pette blew the money.
>> Let me tell you the problem with your defense, Miss Morris.
>> Your loan agreement was not with the plaintiff. Your loan agreement, if I believed you, if I believe you, was with person who was incarcerated.
And there is no proof that the person who was incarcerated paid that money, that she paid the money.
>> However, there is. Your honor, >> tell me what that is.
>> The reason I'm being brought here today is because Miss Dawkins found out that my daughter Kyla here, who was really close friends with Randy, was seeing Randy. She found out about that and that's when holy hell came about. Her problem is between her and my daughter and Randy. I'm being your daughter. My daughter's 19 years old.
>> What do you mean? She was seeing Randy.
>> She My daughter had a boyfriend at the time. Jessica was with Randy at the same time. They were all kind of hanging out and having fun together. I had no idea that they were seeing each other, you know, other than being friends.
>> Let me ask you this question, Miss Dawkins. Did you ever have a telephone conversation with the defendant? Yes.
>> When did you have that telephone conversation?
>> Um, I've had several conversations with her >> relative to the $2,500.
>> Um, probably around June or July that I spoke with her and asked her about the money.
>> What do you mean asked her about what?
>> Um, because this is when I found out, this is when I had got back and I had spoke with Randy. He told me she had not been to his court dates since I given her the money. He hasn't heard from her.
So, I had called her up to see what was going on with that money and why she wasn't doing what she promised. And that's when she told me she had the baby. And and I have never had custody of Ry's son ever.
>> Who asked you to send this money?
>> She asked me to send this money to her.
>> Did you speak to Randy first?
>> Yes, but he did not tell me to give her the money. I spoke I didn't speak with Randy that much because they're collect calls. I can't speak with him that much.
I spoke with the defendant and she told me she would need the money to file motions and do research.
>> Miss Mars, where is this child now? the child is residing with me. In January, I will be adopting the child. I have a letter here from Randy as well, um asking the court, the judge court, and it is in the um papers as to him wanting me to take the baby. As far as me not going to Ry's court appearances or anything, he requested me not to for the safety of the baby.
>> Well, this doesn't this letter does not give you the ability to adopt the child.
give his consent.
>> I have the um Did you file a petition to adopt the child?
>> I have the petition for um guardianship and >> guardianship is not adoption.
>> No, I have the laws have changed within one year in January. Um the adoption procedures will be um start >> will start. Exactly.
>> Start. His parental rights have to be terminated. Terminated within one year.
The mother is in a youth halfway home.
She just got out of um juvenile hall.
>> Are you paid any money by the state?
Yes, I am.
>> Let me finish.
>> There is a procedure that is used in this country. It's called kinship foster care or foster care with someone that you know. So, the state gives you money every month for taking care of the baby.
How much do you receive from the state?
>> $46.
>> And how long has the child been with you?
>> The child has been with me since January 2nd. I began receiving payments in about March. So March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. So you've received eight payments >> approximately. Yes. Is >> that right?
>> So you've received $3,200 so far. So this money that you say he's supposed to give you for taking care of the child, you have been reimbursed for taking care of the child.
>> Oh, yes. I now I I had no state.
>> Right.
>> By the state.
>> And what happened was when the child was brought to me, the child came to me with just a shirt, a dirty diaper, and a bottle.
>> Mhm. I had to completely furnish a room completely buy all clothing, all shoe, all items that a baby would need >> to state also gives you a stipen for that clothing allowance.
>> No, I got that later on.
>> But I know that you get a clothing allowance and a stipend and also money to furnish a room$100. I know that you get I know that you get that >> $100.
>> So don't say no. Yes, you do. You get $100 for what?
>> A year.
>> For what? for a clothing allowance.
>> Okay. Well, you get $400 a month. The child that age doesn't eat >> $100 a week.
>> No, he doesn't. But the child wears diapers. The child had bottles. The child needed clothing. The child has daycare. I work.
>> No, you don't pay for the daycare for the child.
>> Exactly. Exactly. So, don't tell me you have daycare because the state pays for the dayare for the child.
>> No, it comes out of the $400.
>> No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
The state pays booth for daycare with daycare vouchers. If >> that is not true, your honor, >> I don't know what state you come from.
>> He's not a foster child, your honor.
He's a ward. He's my ward. I'm his legal guardian. When I do put him into a facility, once he's potty trained, it goes according to my income.
>> So, who babysits for the child?
>> Whoever I can get to babysit for him.
>> Who do you get to babysit for?
>> Usually, my relatives or some really close friends.
>> Okay, go.
>> And also, your honor, here >> I got you. I got you.
>> Okay. On the other point, the papers that I'm showing here where I did give Randy the money for him and his the apartment for him and Jessica, which they both were dwelling in, is here. My daughter been there.
>> You're living in an apartment that she helped fund.
>> No, I didn't know anything about that.
If she helped Randy find an apartment, then Randy needs to pay her back.
>> Right. Did she resign? It doesn't make any difference.
>> I didn't know anything about any money.
>> Loan was not made to her. The loan was made to him. If you had a misjudgment, Miss Morris, with regard to person to whom you made a loan, you can't visit that on her. And there is no proof that the money that she sent you, the $2,500 came from Randy.
>> I know it didn't come from Randy.
>> Well, if it didn't come from Randy, it has to go back to her. And if he ever gets out of jail because you say he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, then I assume that he will be acquitted of these horrendous charges. And at that time, I assume he'll pay you the money back that he owes you. But that's not her responsibility. Judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $2,500.
That's all.
>> Not excused. You may step out.
>> I honestly believe that it was behind jealousy because of my daughter and her ex-boyfriend.
>> There are plenty of men out there. I don't need to hold on to someone that's in jail that's going to mess with someone like that.
>> And now the next case.
>> All parties in the matter of Luster versus Fair. Step forward. 22-year-old makeup artist Kelly Lester is suing her ex-boyfriend, 33-year-old general contractor Herbert Fair for unpaid credit card charges and for the balance of a computer.
>> Miss Lester, according to your complaint, the defendant is your former boyfriend.
>> Correct.
>> And there was a time when you allowed him to make purchases on a credit card.
>> Um, correct. When you broke up, you put a stop on that credit card and said that you no longer wanted him to be able to make purchases on it and the next day or something, he made $677 worth of payments on the credit card.
>> You say that there have been no payments on that amount and you want him to pay you that amount because you're not together anymore and you don't want to be bothered with him and come chasing him and the bank is looking for you and affects your credit.
>> Correct. In addition, you allowed him to purchase a computer on your credit card.
>> Um, we opened up a gateway account and um, it was under my name cuz I had good credit and um, we paid the payments together. We lived together for about 3 years and the payments were fine. We paid him together and as soon as we broke up, I was paying the payments and the computer remained at his house.
>> He agrees that he put that money on the credit card $67.
>> I do. And what's left on the computer is what?
>> Um, the amount is $1,357.88.
>> Now, Mr. Fair says he did pay for a substantial amount of the computer, and he does acknowledge that there is an additional amount owing on the computer.
His defense is that he made some sort of a loan for some plastic surgery that you had.
>> That's It doesn't matter what the loan was, your honor. I just basically >> You lend her money.
>> I lent her money. I just >> Well, that's what you say in your in your answer. So, you want to tell me about this loan that you say negates the $677?
>> Mhm.
>> As well as the $1,357 that's left on the computer that is in your possession.
>> This is true.
>> Well, tell me, >> well, what loan did you make her?
>> I I gave her a loan. It It doesn't really matter what it was. I mean, I was with her for 3 and 1/2 years and I was basically, you know, putting her through school and doing some things, you know, for her and basically I felt that I didn't have to make the payments no more on the computer because of so much money that I had invested into this relationship as well.
>> Your honor, I paid him back the loan that he he gave to me. So, that has nothing to do with the computer. I paid him back every single dime that he he lent me. So it has nothing. But she was supposed to pay me back, but she didn't pay me back on time.
>> But I still paid him back. He was still paid back. I mean, >> how much did you borrow from him?
>> I borrowed $3,000 from him, and he was paid back every single dime. He wasn't paid back. Exactly. Exactly.
>> I was paid back. Yeah. But not in the time that I was told that I was going to be paid back.
>> Were you paid back before you broke up?
>> Yes.
>> So it wasn't an issue?
>> Yeah. So I don't even know why he's even bringing that up. I think he's just using that because he knows that he owes me for these things.
>> So, what is your defense, sir? I don't know what your defense is, Mr. Fair. If that's >> I mean, I like I said, you know, three and a half years of being into this relationship with her and stuff and I took care of her basically for three and a half years. I felt that I didn't need to pay these both of you know, these both bills and these are basically it between her and I. So, >> as you can see why I don't want to be with him any longer.
>> I I paid him back every single dime that >> he says that you paid him back.
>> Yeah. And it has nothing to do with the money that he owes me. And he knows that he owes me this money and he's just trying to make excuses and >> make up stupid things. I even have proof. I have the bills if you want to see them.
>> He doesn't deny the bills, Miss Lester.
>> He doesn't deny the bills and he doesn't have a defense. So, judgment does judgement is for the plaintiff in the amount of $2,34. Your honor >> Lenky versus Pars have been sworn in. Judge, you may be seated, sir. Have a seat, please.
>> Miss Lumpkkey, the defendant was a former boyfriend of yours. According to your complaint, he owes you for three things. He owes you for money that you loaned to him at one point when he was facing incarceration.
He owes you for the value of a car, which you say you purchased, although it was in his name. It was supposed to be your car. and that he owes you for damages as a result of an assault that took place over a year ago. Is that right?
>> That's correct.
>> I assume that the loan that kept him out of jail was the first money that you're suing for. Is that right?
>> Yes.
>> And tell me the circumstances surrounding that loan. John uh was you know faced going to jail for child support and the day that he was to appear in court. We took the bus up together and then I overheard his you know discussion with the DA and uh that he needed 750 to take him you know out of jail and we agreed that I would you know loan him the money and that he would repay me when he was able to.
>> Well, how did that come about? What did you say to him and what did he say to you? And what I said to him was that I had $750 and just don't worry about it. You can repay me, you know, when you're able to.
I have $400 cash in my wallet and we can go down to an ATM.
>> Tell me about sir, your version of the $750, which you acknowledged that the plaintiff paid in order to keep you out of jail.
>> The $750 um Lynn had um offered to give me 700.
>> Tell me how it came about.
>> Oh, that's I was trying to do that. No.
>> Before we went to uh court few several days before she uh >> look at me.
>> Yes, ma'am. She uh volunteered said, "I I could give you some money to stay out." And I said, "Absolutely not. I don't want to do it because I would feel obligated." So, a few days went by and I was supposed to turn myself in. So, we went and then uh when we got into the out in the hallway, uh the uh public defender said, "Well, do you have the money?" I said, "No, I don't." says, "I have it." And he said, "Well, are you going to use it?" I said, "Absolutely not. I don't want to because I'll feel I feel like I'm obligated. I cannot pay her back." Um, and then she said, "Uh, well," he said, "we'll do it." I said, "No." So, he left. And then he came back again. Are you Why don't you do it? And I said, "Uh, well." And we thought about it. I said, "She convinced me to do it.
I paid it and then we went home and that was it."
>> So, it's not your fault and it's not her fault. It's the public defender's fault.
No, she offered this money to me in front of Mr. Coleman here.
>> Just a second. But you said that you declined to take it.
>> Yes, I did.
>> Because you would have felt obligated to repay it.
>> Yes.
>> And then you said that the district attorney or the public defender >> forced you to do it.
>> He did not force me. He coerced me into it.
>> He coaxed you to do it and you did it.
>> Yes. And I assume therefore that your initial reason for not wanting to take the money in the first place still held true that you would have felt obligated to repay it. That's what you just told me.
>> That's correct.
>> So you took the money and I assume you still felt obligated to repay it.
>> I did.
>> Well, that I'm asking you that. What happened, sir, between the time you walked into the courthouse when you would have felt obligated to repay the money if the plaintiff gave you the money and the time you actually took the money?
>> She told me it was a gift >> and I would not have to pay her.
>> That is >> absolutely.
>> No, no, no, no, no, no.
>> Well, Mr. Heard her say it in his house.
>> Just a second.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> She never used the words gift. This is a gift that I'm making to you, John.
>> Yes, she did.
>> No, no, no. She never did.
>> Well, that's not what she's telling you.
That's not what I believe. Oh, I wouldn't believe it if you told me because I don't know if I believe anything you told me. I certainly wouldn't believe it if he told to me.
>> I'm telling you, she didn't give you the money. She may have said to you, "I want you to take it and you can pay me back when you can."
>> Yes.
>> That she might have said. All right, let's move on to number two. Let's move on to car. How much did you purchase this car for?
>> $625.
>> $625. So, it wasn't a Jaguar?
>> No.
>> And it wasn't a brand new car?
>> Absolutely not. And you had no driver's license.
>> That's correct.
>> So, you purchased the car and you put the car in his name?
>> Not at the time of purchase, but yes, eventually.
>> When did you purchase the car?
>> June 29th.
>> What were you going to do with a car that you couldn't drive?
>> Well, I I had wanted a car for a long time as um >> just to look at it.
>> Brent said, "No, of course not." Um I >> What were you going to do with it?
>> Have other people drive it for me so that I could get around until I have a driver's license. So you must have discussed with him driving you around.
>> No in not necessarily Mr. my roommate John Coleman.
>> And no decision had been made who's whether it even be either one of these persons people.
>> Whatever. You put the car ultimately in his name. Tell me when.
>> It was in July.
>> So you went down to motor vehicles and put the car after you had had it for some time in the defendant's name.
>> Yes.
>> Now Mr. according to you, there came a time when plaintiff came to reside with you in your home. Is that right?
>> Yes.
>> When was that?
>> Let me see here. I have the date right here. It's on the bill of sale that uh we use a copy of the bill of sale that we used for the u transfer of the automobile which was on dated 718 2000.
>> That's when she came to live with you.
>> Yes. Came to stay with me.
>> How long did she stay with you?
>> 2 months and 5 days.
And according to you, Mr. your arrangement was that she could live with you rentree and give you the car.
>> Correct.
>> Miss Lumpy, did you pay any rent? Miss Lumpky, pay attention?
>> No, I did not. And I and I do not remember that document at all.
>> Sure. Look at me. Would you look at me?
>> Oh, I beg your pardon.
>> And was it about the time you went to live with him because you had problems with your old roommate? That's why you >> Well, he locked me out of the house. And but >> your old roommate locked you out of the house. Yes.
>> And you went to live with Mr. And at the same time that you went to live with Mr. was that the time you went down to motor vehicles and transfer the title to the car to his name? That's what he says.
>> No. When I went to live with Mr. I was only going there for some place to sleep. The night I was locked out.
>> But you stayed for 2 months.
>> That's correct. And I contracted bronchitis. I had severe pneumonia. And >> all the time you were in Mr. Mongo's house.
>> I was. Yes, I was.
>> And you did not pay any rent?
>> Well, I was taking care of him. Shh.
>> You did not pay any rent. No, but I bought food and whatever. Yeah.
>> No, I I paid no rent. No.
>> Okay. And he took care of you when you were sick?
>> No.
>> Who took care of you?
>> I took care of myself.
>> Okay. Let's get to item number three.
Tell me about this alleged assault. When did it take place?
>> September 11th.
>> What happened on September 11th?
>> I mentioned something about the car, which I the subject I would avoid um because of his fiery temper whenever the subject came up. There had been a lot of verbal abuse. started to talk about the car. He didn't want to talk about the car.
>> He shot He ran from the back of his house in a fiery rage and punched me as a boxer's punch right here.
>> Real cases, real people. Judge Judy.
Lynn Lumpkkey says ex-boyfriend John owes for an unpaid loan and the return of a car. Lynn also claims John charged her in a fiery rage and punched her.
>> Do you have a police report? The police said that a police report could not be issued.
>> Police issue a police report when there's an assault. Do you have any photographs of your injuries as a result of the assault?
>> Yes, I do.
>> Can I see them, please?
>> That was a couple weeks later. This is about five weeks later.
Six maybe.
Okay, let me give you a version of what happened on this date on September 11th.
>> Well, Miss Lenkkey is an alcoholic and she was drinking 24/7 every day for 2 months. Her idea of being sick >> two months that she was living with you.
>> Yes. Her her idea of being sick with bronchitis is drinking a 1.7 liter of Jack Daniels and barfing all over the place. I had my son at my house. She was, I believe, 3 years old. And she was told, "When she's when he's around and you're drinking, please do not talk to him and leave him alone." Uh, we were in the bathroom and she came in and she grabbed me by the arms. She was shaking me and screaming at me and I could see the fillings in her teeth and I I I broke loose from her and I went outside and uh before we I went outside, my little boy was was hitting her on the leg like this saying, "Stop." He was could see that there was this anger and it was getting him upset. So we went outside and uh my little boy can kept trying to protect me and then she went to grab him and as she grabbed him he kind of turned upside down and she spiraled down into the brick fence and he kind of kicked her in the face and uh >> oh my god that's right love >> basically I just was horrified. I said go you've got to go. I didn't want her to be there anymore. And she kept wondering.
>> I don't know why she was there in the first place, sir.
>> She was there because she was so combative with John. He couldn't take he couldn't have her living at his house anymore. He locked her out.
>> So, she had other places to go. She could rent a room someplace. Go to >> Good.
>> So, why was she living with you, sir?
You're telling me she's an alcoholic?
You had >> I think she was crazy in love with me to tell you the truth.
>> Well, I >> We were having a torid love affair. You were having a torid love affair with somebody who you say was a complete alcoholic.
>> When you have a torid love affair with someone who is blind on Jack Daniels for two straight months.
>> Howal?
>> Yeah.
>> It's not hard.
>> Not for you. Maybe. Not for you. Maybe.
>> Okay. What happened as a result of this assault? Were you ever contacted by the police? The >> police? Uh well, when this h after this happened, I picked uh my son was supposed to go home to his mother. I spent the night over there. I didn't want to come back home. And apparently the police came out and uh the policeman said, "I think uh ma'am, you must have fell off the porch and uh hit hurt yourself."
>> Don't tell me what the police said to her.
>> He was there to hear it.
>> Unbelievable.
>> Say, "Oh, >> this is this is >> Okay. Oh, yes.
>> You're you're despable. Thank you.
>> Excuse me.
>> Thank you very much.
>> Excuse me. Excuse me."
>> Quite frankly, Miss Lumpky, if someone had assaulted me causing this kind of injury >> Yes. Then there would have been a police report. There would have been a police prosecution for domestic violence.
>> Two weeks later, I went to court. I went to jail for uh domestic violence, your honor.
>> And I cannot understand, madam, why you would not follow up on this case that happened over a year ago. Why?
>> I've been sick for months.
>> Okay. You're going to get your $750 bail money back. you are not going to get your car back because I do believe Mr. and believe me it was a real stretch because it's hard to believe him about a lot of things. I do believe that he agreed to have you live there rentree in exchange for the $625 car that you would put in his name anyway. As far as your request for damages with regard to the assault, I am not quite sure how this happened and it is quite possible that you were in fact intoxicated at the time and you're not sure how it happened either. So this is the judgment of the court. You keep the car and you give her $750 for the bail money. You got me good. That's all.
>> Bodies are excused. You may step out.
>> Lady Schmeernoff.
>> He bought alcohol for me. I think she's still in love with me and she just wants to have some type of contact.
>> In fact, he had stated he'd liked me better drunk and sober because he wanted anything from me.
>> And now the next case.
>> All parties on Astudo versus Curley.
Step forward, please.
>> 23-year-old secretary Joan Astuto is suing her ex- fiance, 25-year-old child setter Shawn Curley for half the cost of a wedding that never happened.
>> Mr. Stud, according to your complaint, you had a long relationship with the defendant. spanning a little over 5 years.
>> Yes.
>> You have a child together.
>> Yes.
>> And at some point you decided to get married. He proposed and gave you a ring.
>> Yes.
>> I picked it out. I put down 80 towards it and he put the rest.
>> Okay. How much was the ring?
>> It was uh a little over $200.
I put down 156.
>> Okay. And then there came the time when you started to plan the wedding.
>> Mhm.
>> And you put some money down on various things for the wedding. a hall, a DJ hall totaling about $700. And then in September, you decided this was not going to work out. You called off the wedding and moved out, right?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> What did you put the money down on?
>> The reception hall at the Spartan Manor.
>> How much was that?
>> 600.
>> Yeah.
>> And uh 95 towards the DJ.
>> Who was going to pay for the wedding?
>> We were both, but I put down the money for the DJ. And >> tell me the discussion that you had.
Well, I discussed on where to have it and we agreed at the Spartan Manor and then we went together to the reception site and put down the deposit. Okay.
>> And how come you put down the deposit?
>> Cuz I was the one who had the money.
>> I didn't have the lump sum of $600 to put down at the time.
>> At the time?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> And what about the DJ?
>> I told him how I was booking that DJ and he agreed.
>> I don't remember anything like that. How did you think this wedding was going to get paid for?
>> Uh, very slowly.
>> What do you mean very slowly? What does that mean?
>> Basically, uh, >> don't look down. Look up at me.
>> Okay. Sorry, man. Uh, week for week until it was paid off. The $600 was a down payment and then they wanted payment after that every week and I would have to pay that.
>> Oh, that's perfect. So, it was your intention, Mr. Curley, despite your answer, that you intended to pay for this wedding together? Yes, ma'am.
>> So, why don't you think you are at least partially responsible for the down payments that she put down?
>> She kept the engagement ring.
>> Did you keep the engagement ring?
>> Yes.
>> Oh, well, he has to be given credit for that. Why didn't you give it back to him?
>> Cuz he left.
>> So, what?
>> I also paid $80 for that wedding ring.
>> Okay. But he paid 156, right?
>> Or how about I just give him his ring back.
>> Oh, fine. Where is it?
>> I can do that. It's at my house.
>> Oh, it's easier. I so I don't have to deal with that later. We'll just take off the 156. The entire cost that you put down was $700. Half of that would be $350.
So that's $194.
>> I also uh left my house, gave it to her $48,000 uh fully furnished. We have a a child together and I left them two in the house. Uh >> how much equity is there in the house?
>> Nothing. We just bought it a year ago.
How much of a down payment did you put down?
>> A little over a,000.
>> So you didn't leave her with a $48,000 house. You left her with a $47,000 debt.
>> You have a daughter together?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Paying child support?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> How much?
>> I pay uh right now it's not court ordered, but I'm paying $88 every week. Uh we do have a a court date for that in a couple weeks to determine uh child support.
>> Do you visit with your daughter regularly? No, she I haven't seen her since uh Christmas Day of 2000.
>> Why is that?
>> She She has not let me see her.
>> Why is that?
>> I've told him he can come to the house and pick her up and he refuses.
>> I've had threats from her house.
>> You know, I've done in the last 5 years for him enough. I am, you know, I'm not his mother. I don't want to be his mother anymore.
>> I'm not interested in whether you want to be his mother anymore. So, you say that you've told him that he can come to the house and pick up your daughters.
>> What does he want you to do?
>> He says no. He says to meet me at the police station. This weekend I called him to meet him at the police station. I talked to his girlfriend and argued with her on the phone.
>> Just a second. So he was smart and he indicated to you just meet me for pickup and delivery at the police station. Mhm.
>> If he's afraid of some altercation that might take place when he comes to pick up the child in your home, then usually when I was full-time sitting family court judge, I would make pick up and return in some neutral place where there were people around. So that that would would avoid confrontation between two people who don't get along. So picking up and returning the child at the police station is a very good idea.
>> Judge Judy continues in a moment.
He has to see his daughter. You have absolutely no right to keep the child from him. None. And I would assume that when you go to court, you make sure that you tell the judge when you go to court, Mr. Curley, >> that what you had suggested because of the problems was a pick up and return in a neutral spot and she had rejected that.
>> Yes, ma'am. There's no question that the court will order visitation because whether it worked out between the two of you or not, your child has a right to spend time with you.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> So, judgment is for the plaintiff in the amount of $194. That's all.
>> 561 on the calendar in the matter of Deca versus more. Prize have been sworn in. Judge, you may be seated. Folks, have seats, please.
>> Mr. Decker, the defendant's dog bit your son on the face.
>> Yes. The defendant does not deny that her dog bit your son, but her defense is that you failed to supervise your son and that's really why he was bitten. Is that right?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. When did this happen?
>> On September 9th.
>> Where were you?
>> We were at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids at a Indian POW.
>> How large is this pow-ow? How many people attend the pow-ow?
>> Couple hundred.
>> Was it crowded?
>> Barely.
>> What time did it happen?
>> Approximately between 3 and 3:30 in the afternoon. Where was your son?
>> We had gotten back with food and he was about 5 ft behind me. We were sitting in the booth.
>> What booth?
>> My friend's stepfather owns a jewelry booth and then her mother has a candy booth and we were with them.
>> Who was watching your son?
>> He was amongst all the other kids. They were >> How many other kids?
>> Four.
>> You didn't see this attack?
>> No.
>> How old is he?
>> Five.
>> Is he smart? Five.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. What's your name?
>> Connor.
>> Connor. Connor, would you come and sit up here for me? Cuz I can't see you over that high table.
>> Can you get up there?
>> Here we go.
>> Hi, Connor. Do you know who I am? You know my >> right. Do you know what my job is?
Do you know that you're in a court? Do you know what happens in a court? Did your mom tell you?
>> No.
>> Well, let me tell you. In a court, two people have a disagreement and I'm supposed to make a decision as to who's right and who's wrong. You understand that? So, it's very important that the people who tell me things in court tell me only the truth.
>> Mhm.
>> You know what the truth is?
>> Yeah.
People tell the truth.
>> Hopefully, they always tell the truth.
Do you always tell the truth? Do you remember when you were at the Powow in Riverside Park? Remember that day? Do you remember the day you got bitten by the dog?
>> Yeah, it did.
>> It did what?
>> Bit me right here.
>> Do you remember what the dog looked like?
>> Don't remember. That's maybe a good thing.
>> It does.
>> Was it a big dog or a little dog? Huh?
>> Babe.
>> Did you go up to the dog to pet it?
>> Yeah.
>> And what happened when you went up to the dog to pet it?
>> Her asked me if I wanted to pet it and I said yes.
>> Who asked you? the lady and I said, "Yeah." And I started to pet it and it bit me.
>> So the lady asked you if you wanted to pet it. Did any of the other children want to pet the dog?
>> Shane did and it bit didn't bit him.
>> It didn't.
>> Show me where the dog bit you, Connor.
>> Right here. Right here. And you can't really see that one.
Did the lady who had the dog help you after the dog bit you?
Who came to help you?
>> My mom.
>> Okay. All right, Connie, you can go and sit down over there.
>> Okay. What happened immediately after your son was bitten?
>> When I heard him scream, I got up. I put my food down, turned around. Somebody was holding him. I don't know if it was the defendant or my friend's mother. I wasn't even paying attention. and I immediately grabbed him. Somebody was handing me paper towel and I was going for first aid and I saw out of the corner of my eye the defendants headed towards the parking lot with the dog.
>> What kind of dog was it?
>> A white malamute.
>> That's a pretty big dog.
>> Yes.
>> Connor went to the hospital.
>> Yes.
>> And what happened at the hospital?
>> Um we waited for approximately 5 hours and then they sedated him and gave him nine stitches in the face.
>> Did you have consultations with plastic surgeons with regard to the scar on his face? They do not want to see him until he the scars are at least six months old.
>> Now I'll hear your version of the story.
>> We were at the Indian POW the 9th of September. Uh my friend Wolfrunner and his wife had booths. Um there are thousands of people there. It's a very large Indian gathering.
>> So it's very crowded, >> very very noisy, a lot of people coming and going. We were behind his booth. The three children that were together, uh, my friend Wolfrunner introduced to me as his grandchildren. Connor being one of them and the other boy being another, and there was one other, I don't know his name.
>> There were a lot of other dogs there.
>> Uh, quite a few on leashes just like mine.
>> Mhm.
>> We kept mine by the booth. The little boy brother had pet the dog. I was sitting right there. The dog was on his honches sitting. Not a problem. Uh, we were very careful. He is a big puppy.
He's still a puppy.
>> I won't see.
>> He's a year and a half old. I have pictures.
>> I'd like to see the picture.
>> Okay.
Um, we were in back of the booth getting ready to say goodbye to my friends Bonnie and Wolfrunner. The dog was sitting on his honches. My friend Rick, my witness, had the dog by the leash. I had him by the collar. The little boy wanted to pet him. The dog never got up off his butt. He petted the dog's nose.
My dog never growled, barked, nothing. I don't know what happened. He turned his head. The dog within a second or less grabbed his face. Rick had him down on the ground. I picked the little boy up.
He was still standing. I called Bonnie, who I thought was his grandmother.
That's who I was introduced to. And uh Bonnie came running out and I handed the little boy to his mother if that's who it was. And the dog was never loose nor anything.
>> I understand that. There's no question that the dog was on a leash, >> right? And after the bite, Wolfrunner said, "Get the dog out of here. I don't know what agitated it. Get him out." I said, "Please let me know as soon as possible." And he said he would.
>> Okay. Step up, please. Tell me your name.
>> Richard Skyle.
>> Mr. Skyle, if you were to relate to me the events of that afternoon, would they be pretty much consistent with what the defendant had just told me? Yes, ma'am.
>> So, the little boy did absolutely nothing to the dog.
>> No.
>> The little boy came up, touched the dog on the nose. The dog did not flinch. He didn't torment the dog. He didn't spook the dog. And the dog >> when he turned his face, the dog just went for him.
>> Mhm.
>> Real cases, real people. Judge Judy.
Autumn Decker says her son, 5-year-old Connor, was bitten in the face by Marie Moore's dog.
>> It's not a difficult case. Here we have a situation where you have a child who's been injured by your dog. I don't even have to ask you whether your dog has bitten anybody else before. I assume not.
>> Never.
>> But the dog did bite this child.
>> Yes, he did.
>> And who should bear first the financial cost of the doctor's bills, etc. With regard to the dog, clearly you have to do that. You know, it's always difficult when you take a a dog to a large gathering. I'm a dog owner and I know that even my little dog gets a little nervous when they're around so many, she said hundreds, you said thousands of people. When you have a big dog that's around thousands of people and there are kids, you sometimes run the risk of your dog becoming more agitated than normal, more anxious than normal. So, you are clearly responsible. I don't think that you're bad people. You did have your dog on a leash, but you're clearly responsible. I don't buy into this.
sometimes artificial statutory scheme which says that every dog is entitled to one bite before the owners are liable.
In my view, which is I believe the common law view of this kind of situation, you have an innocent party and a guilty party. The guilty party had a dog. It looks like a lovely animal, but certainly capable of doing damage and did damage, and you're responsible.
Absolutely. Your request for judgment is for $3,000, which I assume includes your medical bills and whatever plastic surgery Connor is going to have to have to fix that scar on his face. Judgment for the plaintiff amount to $3,000.
That's all.
>> Bodies are excused. You may step out.
>> He filed enough papers in our county that they came to my home and took my dog and killed me. Any dog that bites, especially a child, should automatically be euthanized after the quarantine.
>> The lady asked me if I wanted to pet it, and I said, "Yeah." and I came up to pet it and it bit me.
>> And now the next case.
>> All parties on Punterero versus Peach.
Step forward, please.
>> 22-year-old student Karen Ponderero is suing her ex- roommate, 22-year-old student Rebecca Peach for breaking a lease. Rebecca says she moved out because she needed gallbladder surgery.
Miss Bonero, according to your complaint, you and the defendant know each other from college.
>> And you had decided to room together for this coming year.
>> Yes.
>> When did you sign the lease?
>> Uh last year.
>> What month?
>> Uh I believe it was in April.
>> And it's sometime about a month later, the defendant decided that she did not want to live with you. And you've had to move into this rental by yourself. You want her to pay her share of the year's rent.
>> Yes. It's a three-bedroom apartment.
There's uh me and one other housemate.
And with her not living there, um we're responsible for her rent. Our landlord is now taking us to court for her part of the rent. Um in the lease, it says that um no matter what um you're jointly and severely responsible for fulfillment of >> severally, not severely, severally. Let me have the lease, please.
>> I have this from both yours.
Okay. When did you change your mind?
>> Um, I actually have an email I have written to Karen. It stated June 12th that states that I won't be >> stated what?
>> June 12th.
>> Okay. You changed your mind June 12th.
>> It wasn't so much changing my mind. I was very ill. K and I were disagreeing.
Was not a a very good living environment for myself. And um I have doctors, notes, everything. It was impossible for me to come back to school.
>> So then what did you do to try to get a new roommate?
>> With me being sick, it was hard sick with >> I had my gallbladder taken out two years ago. I I vomit a lot. I throw up a lot.
That's why I had written her the email to let her know that I won't be back.
That I need I'm going to need help with this.
>> Let me see the email.
>> I have it highlighted where I said I wasn't going to be back.
You were all supposed to move in on the end of August. Is that right?
>> Yeah.
>> And according to this lease, the landlord wanted payments for the rent in two parts. $4,000 in the beginning of one semester and then in the spring semester, another $4,000. The spring semester doesn't start until when?
February, March, >> January.
>> January.
>> January. And what you're suing her for is really onethird of the entire lease.
Is that right? Yes.
>> I don't know about this vacuum cleaner and television set.
>> Your honor, I also have an email um dated June 12th also. Um she never said anything about being sick. She never gave me that reason.
>> We were fighting. I didn't feel the reason I need to explain myself.
>> Well, it's a rather nasty email and it seems to me a lot of other things going on other than just your former gallbladder condition. Miss Peach, you had an obligation to try to locate a third roommate to take over your obligation under the lease.
>> I understand that >> you have an obligation to what they call ameliorate your damages, which means you too have to make an effort to locate a third roommate.
>> Um, we posted these all around campus and since when usually when everybody uh looks for an apartment, you sign a lease well ahead of time. Um, right now everybody in school already has signed leases for their living arrangements next year. So, finding a roommate now is next to impossible because already everybody already has their apartment.
>> Well, at this point, yes, but probably not in June and certainly not for the spring semester.
>> Well, we've been looking. We found >> because situations change. So, there is no way that I'm going to grant you an award for the entire amount of the rent that's due and owing because the spring semester is a whole different scenario.
Having had kids in school, I know that after a few months in college, situations change >> and kids say, "I don't like living with you and I don't like living with you.
I'm going to look for a new roommate."
You make new friends. So, you can find yourself in a position of filling up that third bedroom, which I'm sure you use now occasionally. Anyway, you have visitors come up and they use that room.
>> Actually, it's pretty empty.
>> It's not what I asked you. I said, "Do you sometimes have visitors, friends come up and use that room?" Parents, anybody else that room? No, >> they don't use that room. It just stands as a shrine to the defendant. What's next?
>> If I may interject for a second.
>> Sure.
>> The TV we had bought together. I had left her half the money for it when I moved out in the summertime. And the vacuum cleaner, I don't remember us having one second semester cuz our first semester housemate took it with her. We didn't we didn't have a vacuum the second semester.
>> Well, that's what the other some of the other things she's suing for a vacuum cleaner and a television.
>> I never I had gotten a phone call from the Fredonia Police Department about me stealing a television and a vacuum cleaner. Now, I when I went up to school, I made sure nobody was there. I took all of my stuff out, left her half the money for the TV we bought together, which was $60.
>> And did you take the TV?
>> And I took the TV with me. And I did not take the vacuum. I'm I'm living at home.
I don't need the vacuum cleaner.
>> Um, at the time, I didn't know she had left the money because my other housemate had set it aside for me, but she wasn't home. So, I went to the police department and I filled out this report. And I find it hard to believe that the TV and all her stuff would be gone along with the vacuum cleaner. But >> she says she took the TV, but she left you money. which you acknowledge because your roommate had the money.
>> Yeah, she told >> I just didn't tell you. So, you included the TV in the police report that you filed against her and the TV should not have been included in that police report.
>> Well, she says that we we bought the TV together and we did not. I bought it on my credit card and I have the receipt here if you want.
>> We split that. We >> Well, it's very possible you put it on your I'm not going to get involved with $60 for a television.
>> That's fine, too. But I did not take a vacuum cleaner.
>> There's no proof that she took the vacuum cleaner. What's next? Well, I have all the copies of the bills from last semester that some of them we still owe. Some of them are in her name, some of them are in mine.
>> I also I just got a $617 phone bill in my name, which should I don't know why it's still in my name, but I just received this phone bill from the phone company.
>> Let me see.
>> Why don't you B, instead of my looking at them, why don't you have them exchange these bills and look at them?
I acknowledge these bills.
>> Good.
>> What I want to say is that I I never receive them to pay them.
>> Okay. So, there are 624 $624.17 in bills that she says that you owe from last semester and you got a phone bill for $600.
>> And $17. Yes.
>> Right.
>> Actually, all these numbers are are her numbers. They're all in Long Island.
They're all West Palm Beach. There's Buffalo in there. Williamville from her town. So, >> well, I I will be glad to go through them and find out which ones are mine, but the vast majority of them are for from hers.
>> Uh, let me see.
>> You expect me to go through all these charges?
>> No.
>> Good. Then step outside. Call you back in 5 minutes. Yeah. bird. Send them outside, please. Thank you.
>> Okay, so who was talking Sally?
>> Um, well, I went over the long distance bills, highlighted what I owe. Um, everything from the Buffalo and Buffalo area, and I owe $9.30.
>> Is that right?
>> I guess so. I didn't really look at it.
>> What do you have the calculator? She I was >> All right. So, let me see the entire phone bill, please.
All right, Miss Peach.
>> Yes.
>> So, from your phone bill of $617, the plaintiff owes you $9.30.
>> That's fine.
>> So, it's a good lesson, Miss Peach. Your lesson is as follows. How old are you?
>> 22.
>> If you're 22, you're an adult. When you're an adult and you enter into a contract, you are obligated to fulfill your contract. You're no longer a kid, but you have an obligation, too, to reduce your damages. You can't sit there with a three-bedroom apartment, say, "Well, now I have a bedroom for myself, a bedroom for my roommate, and I got a whole area for storage." Don't play with paper when I'm talking to you. It's rude. So, I believe that you are entitled to this semester's portion of her rent for the fall semester because I agree with you that it could have been difficult in June to try to find a new roommate. That doesn't mean that I believe that you can't find somebody else for the spring semester. Now, that doesn't mean that you necessarily don't have a cause of action against her. If in the spring semester, after a good faith effort to locate another roommate, you're not able to locate another roommate. This award will come You know Oh, dead.
That's the Mhm.
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