Legal Question in Business Law in Pennsylvania

Re: civil case

Let me try to piece this together. Back when you were living with Mom and Dad back in Pa., you were hired to edit some tapes. You flaked out and never finished the project, and you never returned the original tapes. You moved to Calif., but you never told the owner of the tapes, so he sued you in Pa. and served you by delivering the court papers to your parents. You blew off the lawsuit, resulting in a default judgment and exposing your parents to being hassled by the sheriff. Now the attorney is asking the court to hold you in contempt for not returning the tapes, and looks like you are going to blow that off also, so there is (or will soon be) a warrant for your arrest in Pa. You complain that all of these events are somehow unfair. I, instead, see a clear pattern of irresponsible behavior on your part. Maybe you need to go back to Pa., find this guy's tapes, and return them to him.

Re: civil case

You really need a response from a Pennsylvania lawyer, because the law on these matters varies from state to state, including the statute of limitations for replevin (or recovery of personal property), the laws governing service of process, default judgments and seizure of property after a writ of possession. It might also be relevant whether you were an adult at the time of the tape-editing project, whether you completed the project, whether you were paid, and whether your parents were named as co-defendants.

However, I can assure you we have substantial due-process rules in this country, and which mistakes can be made in carrying out the process of civil law in this country, most of the problems that aren't caused by the defendants' own inattention can be nipped in the bud by reading and responding to legal documents within the prescribed time limits.

Re: civil case

The best way to protect your parents is to give the plaintiff whatever he/she/it is asking for. Call the company that is suing you. Try to negotiate with the person. If you are uncomfortable speaking with them under these circumstances, then hire an attorney to speak for you. You have many options, but you must hire an attorney immediately. You will need a Pennsylvania attorney, even though you live in California. Good luck. Sharmil McKee, Trial Attorney

McKee Law Office

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania