Answer.

Small Claims Court is your choice here for claims of $10,000 or less. The filing fee is low and can be waived under some circumstances. You will you have your day in Court within about six weeks from filing. If you have served your defendant and filed a proof of service, a Judge will hear your case. Be careful of "Judge-pro-temps" as they are usually attorneys recruited unwillingly to hear cases, sometimes don't know the law and have been known to take out their bitterness on life on the litigants. Only accept a REAL Judge, so to speak. If given the opportunity for your case to be heard from a "Judge-Pro-Temp" decline, it is your right. Also, to help the Judge decide in your favor, have ALL your paperwork and proof in order. Also, be sure to be honest and truthful. Judges hate liars and can spot a dishonest Plaintiff or Defendant immediately.