How does the evidence presented in a small claims court hearing differ from that presented in other courts?

In Virginia, small claims court hearings differ from those of other courts in the way evidence is presented. Generally, small claims court hearings do not involve lawyers or witnesses, so evidence is typically presented differently. Instead of hearing testimony from witnesses and attorneys, the judge will typically rely on written statements, photographs, or other documents presented by the parties involved. Another difference is that small claims court hearings often move quickly as the amount of evidence that can be presented is often small. Parties may not have the same amount of time to present and review evidence as they would in a larger court. This is because the allowable amount for small claims is usually limited to $25,000 or less, meaning there is less at stake. Overall, in small claims court hearings, parties are expected to provide sufficient evidence to support the claims made or defenses asserted. The burden of proof is on the party making the claim and is usually satisfied by producing documents and other physical evidence. Parties may also submit written testimony, but this is not always accepted. Ultimately, the evidence presented in small claims court hearings is usually less intricate and more straightforward than evidence presented in other courts. Parties may not have the same resources available to them as in other courts, and they are typically expected to provide sufficient evidence that can be quickly reviewed.

How does the evidence presented in a small claims court hearing differ from that presented in other courts?

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