Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Pennsylvania
Civil litigation magistrate district justice court
I am appearing as a pro se plaintiff against a private contractor. The total amount of judgment is less than it would cost to hire a lawyer. Facts: A contract was written establishing work to be done, time period of completion, and prepayment for work with the vehicle title to a 1989 car as collateral for the prepayment. The work did not get done. I asked for repayment or the car. He said the car had been demolished in a dirt track race. He couldn't repay the money. How can I get information about this car? Can the magistrate issue a subpoena to ??? (him, Pa DMV)for information? If The vehicle was sold, can this case then be moved into a criminal law case involving contract fraud? I have read the Pa Code but still do not understand what actions (ie. Motions), are part of a DJ process., as it seems to be very informal. What is an effective reference source to learn about do's and don'ts in front of a DJ? Are interrogatories , depositions, pre-trial motions accepted parts of the process? May I ask to tape the proceedings? Since I have access to law libraries but no training in law, I would be willing to pay for a lawyer to serve as a coach directing me through the research for this case. Thanks to all for any help.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Civil litigation magistrate district justice court
The best advice any lawyer will give on something like this is to go to the district justice's office and watch a case. Call them and see when the have a trial going on and sit in on it. It is likely, you will learn more in that one day than you can by reading a book.
As for taping, it is doubtful. I do not see the reason to get a subpoena. A 1989 car? How much is it worth? Will it be worth your time?
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