Sawtooth Judgment Recovery

The purpose of small claims court is to provide an informal procedure for people to settle small legal disagreements and collections without an attorney. There are no attorneys allowed, unless an attorney is personally suing someone else or someone else is suing an attorney. In that case, the other party is notified that they have the right to have an attorney also, or they can proceed without an attorney. Each person involved in the suit will have the opportunity to go to court and present their side of the case to the District Magistrate Judge. Each side is also allowed to subpoena witnesses and present exhibits to help prove their case. Then, from the evidence provided by each party, the Judge rules on the case.  In Idaho, small claims are limited to $5,000 and can be enforced for five years after which the judgment may be renewed for another five years.  More information pertaining to all aspects of small claim filing for Ada County including forms for download can be accessed at this site: http://www.adaweb.net/departments/CAO/SmallClaims.asp

Procedures may vary from county to county in the state of Idaho. So you could check with the Clerk of the District Court office if you are contemplating filing a small claims case in another county. The job of the Clerk of the District Court personnel is to process cases. They cannot give you legal advice.

Even though you may obtain judgment in Small Claims Court, the Court is not responsible for collections of the same. If you have filed a small claims case and won a judgment and that judgment has NOT been paid, contact our office for assistance.

• John King
  
• P.O. Box 140376
• Boise, Idaho 83714
• Phone: 208-424-8370
• Fax: 208-424-8374
• Toll-Free: 877-424-8370

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