Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Which court do I sue in?

Hello,

I just moved from Florida to California. I shared an apartment with 2 roommates in Tampa and after the lease is over they have not yet returned the rental deposit they owe to me. Also I have proof in the form of cheques and bank transactions that they owe me $1000. So can I sue them in California even though they are living in Florida ?

They are foreign students and they are non residents of the US. I am a permanant resident of USA. Please advice.

Thanks,

RGL


Asked on 4/20/03, 10:02 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: Which court do I sue in?

You will need to bring this case in Florida. I see no basis on which you could sue them in California.

They are in Florida, the deposit was paid in Florida per an agreement you made in Florida. Aside from you, any witnesses are probably also in Florida. Presumably at the time of the agreement no one had any reason to think that disputes would be brought to courts of any state other than Florida.

The fact that you are a permanent resident does not matter, and neither does the fact that they are not.

When people move from one place to another they generally do not carry jurisdiction over pre-existing legal disputes with them. This is a Florida case, and that is where you will need to take action.

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Answered on 4/20/03, 10:16 pm


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