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37 U.S.F. L. Rev. 315 (2002-2003)
The People's Court Examined: A Legal and Empirical Analysis of the Small Claims Court System

handle is hein.journals/usflr37 and id is 325 raw text is: The People's Court Examined: A Legal and Empirical Analysis of the Small Claims Court System By BRUCE ZUCKER* AND MONICA HER** ONE OF THE most fascinating aspects of the legal system involves the small claims court process. Often referred to as the People's Court,' it is a part of the court that comes most directly into contact with the citizenry of a jurisdiction. Some cases are bizarre, most are interesting, and all are serious to the parties.2 Provided that the dol- lar amount is less than or equal to the jurisdictional limit,3 almost any type of civil action can come to small claims court,4 irrespective of the complexity of the case. * Associate Professor, College of Business and Economics, California State University, Northridge. Professor Zucker received his J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, in 1993. He regularly serves as a Judge Pro Tempore. ** Assistant Professor, Department of Finance, Real Estate, and Insurance, College of Business and Economics, California State University, Northridge. Professor Her received her Ph.D. in Finance from Texas A&M University, College Station, in 1999. This article represents the research and analysis of these authors and in no way represents the opinion of any governmental entity. Research for this article was made possible by a grant from the College of Business and Economics at California State University, Northridge. © 2002. All Rights Reserved. 1. See infra text accompanying notes 33 through 43. 2. Robert Klepa, Making a Case for Small Claims Court, 23 L. A. LAW. 14 (October 2000). 3. For example, the jurisdictional limit of small claims court is currently $5,000. See CAL. CIV. PROC. CODE § 116.220 (West 2002). 4. CAL. CIV. PROC. CODE § 116.220 provides: (a) The small claims court shall have jurisdiction in the following actions: (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (c), (e), and (f), for recovery of money, if the amount of the demand does not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000). (2) Except as provided in subdivisions (c), (e), and (f), to enforce payment of delinquent unsecured personal property taxes in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), if the legality of the tax is not contested by the defendant. (3) To issue the writ of possession authorized by Sections 1861.5 and 1861.10 of the Civil Code if the amount of the demand does not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000).

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