Pay the docket fee to the clerk of court within twenty days after the decision is rendered. A small claims case is a civil action for a money judgment in which the amount of damages is $6,500 or less. If you believe you also have a claim against the person suing you, you may file a small claims counterclaim. You may have an additional cost for having the petition served on the other party. Information and forms to use in Iowa Small Claims cases suing for money damages or return of property. Judicial magistrates hear most small claims cases, though any judge may hear a small claims case. For example, civil court deals with cases in which the petitioner is looking for over $200,000. Floyd County Small Claims Crt 101 S Main St Charles City, IA 50616-2746 Phone:(641) 228`7778 Boone County Small Claims Crt 201 State St Boone, IA 50036-3922 Phone:(515) 433`0561 Butler County Small Claims Crt 428 6th … FECR268551. Get directions, reviews and information for Small Claims Court in Sioux City, IA. First, a person must be eighteen years of age or older to bring a small claims suit. In a small claims case the amount in controversy is $6,500 or less ($5,000 prior to 7/1/2018). And if a district court judge heard the original action, another district court judge will decide the appeal. If both parties fail to appear at the time of the hearing, the claim will be dismissed without prejudice, meaning the plaintiff may be able to refile the claim upon paying another $95 filing fee. A judge or magistrate hears your case, and you don't need an attorney to represent … Information on this web page is general in nature. Small claims cases are heard on Monday at 2:00 p.m. and Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. in Room 107 of the Johnson County Courthouse. Read the latest issue of the Equal Justice Journal. In order to be heard in small claims court, both the parties and the case itself must meet certain prerequisites. The office is a part of the State of Iowa Judicial Branch and the Clerk and staff are employees of the State of Iowa. Iowa Supreme Court, Iowa Court of Appeals, The following facts are drawn from the minutes of testimony and the defendant’s in-court admissions. The office of the Clerk of District Court processes all paperwork flowing to and from the Court. http://iowalegalaidfoundation.org/clientstories/. Menu & Reservations Make Reservations . If you are not pleased with the outcome of the appeal, you may ask the Iowa Supreme Court to review the case. You must file electronically unless you get permission from the court to file in paper. Small claims courts were created precisely to deal with claims that fall below an amount set by each state's laws. Be sure to review the tips for representing yourself before your hearing. Complete Case Management in cedar-rapids (Start To Finish) Researching, Preparing, Filing & Serving your Case in cedar-rapids; Serving the Defendants in cedar-rapids (Included) If you have been sued as the defendant in a regular civil case in the District Court, this article may still be helpful, but be aware that there are differences. Winning in small claims court isn’t always about whether you’re right. Des Moines County Clerk of Court. The way you present your case — and yourself — in court can also be a factor in determining whether or not you walk out the door with the winner’s ticket. Applicable Iowa laws may be found in Iowa Code chapter 631. We serve the Best Law Services in Cedar Rapids with reasonable small claim fees. 720 square miles of northeast Iowa. If the amount of controversy is over $1,500.00 till $3,000.00, the filing fee is $12.00. There is no jury and the plaintiff presents his or her evidence and witnesses. If you are unhappy with a small claims judgment, you may appeal the case. All Rights Reserved. Now you must collect on that judgment, and it's not as easy as it sounds. If the defendant fails to appear and the clerk of court determines proper notice was given, the clerk of court will enter a default judgment against the defendant if the plaintiff’s damages are clearly identified. The defendant is also responsible for presenting his or her witnesses. 631.. Iowa Small Claims | Forms The following questions and answers are intended to explain small claims court. You will then file an Appearance and Answer form. This includes areas of civil, dissolution, probate, criminal, traffic, small claims, and mental health. © 2001 - 2021, Pro Bono Net, All Rights Reserved. On the other hand, small claims court deals with matte… Reviews (712) 279-6464 Website. If the requirements are not met, the parties must file the lawsuit in another court. In Iowa, the Small Claims Division of the eight District Courts hears claims limited to $5,000 or less, as established by Code of Iowa, Title XV, Ch. Do not create a new one. Responsibilities & Services. Recover Monies Owed! If the other party has entered a timely answer, the clerk will assign a case to the court calendar for hearing. Read More, A video that outlines the basic steps involved in bringing and defending a small claims action. To sue a person or business in small claims court, your lawsuit, called a claim, must fall into one of the two following categories: Claims for money owed under an agreement, such as, See an attorney the Best Law Services in Cedar Rapids, Iowa magistrate decided the original action was recorded. Use in Iowa small claims, and mental health Sue a Used Vehicle Dealer in small action. A case in small claims, §631.1 CHAPTER631 SMALLCLAIMS Referredtoin§169C.5,331.307,364.22,537.5110,562B.6,564A.4,602.6405,602.8102 ( 104 ),648.5 631.1.. 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