Small claims

Small claims is a special kind of court where grown-ups can go to solve small problems by talking to a judge. Let's say you borrowed your friend's toy and accidentally broke it. Your friend might be upset and want something called "money" to buy a new toy. But you might not agree that you have to pay money. So, you both can go to small claims court to talk about it and let the judge decide what is fair.

In small claims court, you don't need a lawyer, just like how you don't need a teacher to help you solve little disagreements with your friends. The judge is like a grown-up who listens to both sides of the story and makes a decision. They are there to help solve problems and make sure everyone gets treated fairly.

Before going to small claims court, you need to fill out some papers called "forms" to tell the judge what happened and what you want. You will also need to pay a small fee, just like when you buy a toy from a store. This money is used to run the small claims court and make sure everything happens smoothly.

When you go to court, you and your friend will have a chance to talk. The judge will ask questions to better understand what happened. You can bring any special things called "evidence," like pictures or messages, to help the judge know the truth. Sometimes, the judge might talk to you and your friend separately, just like a teacher who talks to both students before making a decision.

Once the judge listens to both sides and understands what happened, they will make a decision. If the judge decides you have to pay money, you will have to. But if the judge decides you don't have to pay, then you won't have to. The judge's decision is like a grown-up's rule that you have to follow.

It's important to remember that small claims court is only for small problems. If you have a really big problem, you might need to go to a different kind of court. But for small problems, like a broken toy or a disagreement with a friend, small claims court is a great place to go to make things right.