What is the process of submitting a complaint in a small claims court case?
The process for submitting a complaint in a small claims court case in Rhode Island is fairly straightforward. First, the claimant must complete a written statement of the facts of the case. This statement should include a description of the dispute, the amount of money being sought, and the name and address of the defendant. The filing fees must also be paid before submitting the complaint. The complaint should then be filed with the Rhode Island District Court Clerk in the appropriate county where the dispute or one of the parties involved is located. After the complaint is filed, the court clerk will enter the case into the District Court’s docket, where it will be assigned a case number, and a hearing date will be set. The court will then serve the defendant with a copy of the complaint, and the defendant must present a response at the settlement hearing. The claimant should also attend the hearing, where both parties will have the opportunity to present their cases and evidence. The judge will then make a decision based on the evidence presented and may award monetary damages, if appropriate. In some cases, the judge may also order a change in behavior or refer the parties to mediation in order to reach an agreement.
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