In today’s mail is an unopened letter from Judge Mathis.
Here’s the assumed back story. My granddaughter, Anne, who uses my address for her mail, was in a traffic accident. Anne was paused for traffic when Betty hit her in the rear at about 40 mph. Betty’s car was totaled. Anne’s car had structural damage and was in the body shop for 37 days. Betty’s insurance paid the $5500 bill at the body shop. The car looks fine.
However, Anne’s car now has a tarnished record of structural damage. Even though the car looks fine, it is worth less than an identical car that was never in a traffic accident. Anne’s car has “inherent diminished value”, which we estimate at $1000-$1500. Requests for inherent diminished value have been ignored by Betty and her insurance company. So Anne filed a small claim about a month ago. The case will be heard in July.
Anne is away and will not return until tomorrow. Assuming the unopened letter is an invitation to appear on his show, any idea what to expect?
I used to binge these shows when I didn’t have a day job and looked up the mechanics.
It’s not a real court (you knew that), but it is legally binding arbitration. Basically, the producers troll through small claims courts filings and offer the plaintiff and the defendant to come on the show and resolve their case there. Real courts are fine with it because parties going to arbitration keeps the already full docket from being overloaded.
The show usually has a budget (IIRC it’s whatever the max small claims amount is, like $7500 or so) and that amount is split evenly between the plaintiff and defendant, minus whatever award is decided by the judge. For example, if the complaint is dismissed, each side gets $3750. If the judge decides the defendant owes $2500, then the plaintiff gets $5000 and the defendant gets $2500.
Price is the dignity of the people involved. I believe a cheap hotel, the flight out, and meals are provided as well.
Not sure about Mathis. But when I was doing audience work for Judy, it was filmed in the ghettoest Hollywood studio around (@ Sunset/Gower). Right next to Arby’s. Between the Denny’s and the other Denny’s.