What is the process for requesting a court trial in a small claims court case?

In Rhode Island, small claims court provides people with a way to resolve their disputes without going through a long and expensive traditional court process. The process for requesting a court trial in a small claims court case involves several steps. First, the plaintiff must file a complaint with the small claims court. The complaint must include the name and address of the defendant, a brief summary of the facts of the case, and the amount of money being sought as damages. The court clerk will review the complaint and provide the defendant with a summons and a copy of the complaint. The defendant must then file a response to the complaint within 20 days of receiving the summons. The response must contain a statement of the facts from the defendant’s perspective and any defenses that the defendant wishes to make. Once both the complaint and response have been filed, the case will be scheduled for a court hearing. The plaintiff and defendant will appear before the court and present their side of the case. The judge will then decide the outcome of the case. If a court trial is requested, the plaintiff and defendant may be required to submit additional evidence and testimony. The defendant may also be required to present evidence as to why they believe they should not be liable for the damages requested in the complaint. Either the plaintiff or defendant may appeal the court’s decision to a higher court. Overall, the process for requesting a court trial in a small claims court case in Rhode Island is relatively straightforward and simple. Once the complaint and response have been filed, the court will schedule a hearing where both parties can present their evidence and arguments. The judge will then render a decision based on the evidence presented.

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