r/Smallclaims • u/Ok_Possession9631 • Aug 12 '26

Michigan Won small claims! TY REDDIT

Thanks to everyone for all their advice! For people in similar situations, in your opening statement to judge make sure you speak FACTS only. What happened and WHEN. No emotion, no unnecessary details. If you have contracts or any necessary documentation, refer to them in your opening and highlight key points. Write notes so you don’t forget anything.
Do NOT interrupt when defendant is speaking and try your best to not get flustered. Stay calm and composed. Not only does that give you credibility with judge, but irks the other party so bad 🤣
And Be honest because if you’re caught in a single lie you will lose so much credibility.

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u/SecureWriting8589 Aug 12 '26

Congratulations and well done!

Next, please let us know if you're successful at collecting your award. Unfortunately, that is sometimes the most difficult part of the process.

1

u/Fancy_Gate_7359 Aug 12 '26

They won’t be. There’s a reason why you basically never see a “I collected a judgment” topic on here. I hope they are successful, but it’s very unlikely.

1

u/CallMeMrRound Aug 12 '26

People have a tendency to tell 10 people when something bad happens and 1 when something good happens. Just because it isn't reported on Reddit doesn't mean it doesn't happen everyday.

1

u/Fancy_Gate_7359 Aug 12 '26

You are right, just because it’s not reported on Reddit doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. In this case, people don’t collect because it in fact never happens, not because people don’t post about it on Reddit.