What is the process for objecting to evidence in a small claims court case?

Objecting to evidence in a small claims court case in Washington is a process that happens within a specific timeline and must be done properly. Before a trial or hearing starts, the Plaintiff must provide the Defendant with a list of evidence they intend to present. The Defendant then has the right to object to any of the evidence by filing an Objection to Evidence form. This form must be filed at least seven days before the hearing. Once the form is filed, the Plaintiff can either agree to the objection or file a brief arguing why the evidence should be allowed. This brief must also be filed seven days before the hearing. The judge will then review the Objection to Evidence form, the Plaintiff’s response, and the evidence in question before making a ruling about the admissibility of the evidence. It is important to be aware that the judge can choose to rule on the evidence during the hearing, so the Plaintiff should be prepared to address the objections if necessary. If the Defendant disagrees with the judge’s ruling on the evidence, they can file an appeal. For this reason, it is important to keep detailed records of the Objection to Evidence form, the Plaintiff’s response, and the judge’s ruling.

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