University Daily Kansan
Thursday, May 1, 1980
5
Small claims court provides simple solutions
By SCOTT C. FAUST Staff Reporter
The small, carpeted courtroom in the Douglas County Law Enforcement building is definitely a place of the 80s, but the disputes heard there—the petty disagreements and small-time deals from a complex society—are timeless.
It is small claims court, and the scrubbed,
heistant citizen sits before the judge
have come to argue cases concerning
their personal rights—benders or
oh bells that never got paid.
Small claims courts, where lawyers may not represent clients and cases are limited to under $400, are designed to provide a safe environment for decision to wronged individuals or businesses.
Small claims cases include a broad range of interpersonal and business disputes.
Jerry Edison, Parsons junior and plaintiff in one of 35 small claims made in Dougsson's case, asserted that he efficiently wronged when a computer science student he was tutoring allegedly refused to pay his fee.
Referred by KU Student Legal Services to the county, Edison paid the $5 fee and filing the complaint. The district made a statement of the claim and general information about the plaintiff and defendant, and filed a complaint.
Edison's claim was for $25 and he was
Shankel seeks down slip opinions
A copy of the form was sent to the defendant explaining she could bring any books, papers, witnesses or other evidence she thought helpful to the April 11 trial.
Del Shakel, executive vice chancellor,
has invited KU students and faculty to
express their opinions about proposals to
deliver the Master's degree and downships
to freshmen and sophomores.
The recommendations, made to the University Council by the chancellor's secretary, instruct students to issue down slips to students who had a D average or worse by the eight week of classes. Students with excessive absences also would receive
Other recommendations included the issuance of the University timetable by the eleventh week of the semester, the adoption of a pre-enrollment system at the earliest possible date, and the requirement of a seven-seminum high school transcript for
Shankel said the administration had
reviewed the proposals and hoped to implement them.
"We have forwarded several of them to specific offices," he said, "which would be particularly involved in their implementation.
"I would like to invite faculty, students and staff members to review the recommendations carefully and forward written comments to my office."
Shankel said any comments could be sent or taken to 231 Strong Hall.
The recommendations were intended to improve students' chances for success by giving them early notice of academic problems, he said.
"A student's chances for successful completion of his academic career improves considerably if individual problems are addressed early in the student's career." Shankle said.
Edsison said the girl had agreed to pay, although she had initially refused, and that he was satisfied with the way small claims court had worked for him.
awarded a $11 judgment he said yesterday,
because the judge said he thought that two
hours of the tutoring session were un-
needed. He said he found an out-
side a simple error in the student's program.
--that his was "a pretty open and shut small claims case."
You are cordially invited to attend
"I think it’s a good system that’s available to people without a legal representative having to be there," Edison said. "It’s also important. You just file and show up at the trial."
THE THIRD ANNUAL
--that his was "a pretty open and shut small claims case."
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT DAY
CEREMONIES
Frank Bolleta, Mission senior, who was also referred to small claims court by Legal Services, received a $68.75 judgment April 1 against Gatehouse Apartments and Gold Crown Properties, Inc. for his WV compensation, by a painter working on the apartments.
Bolfaet said his claim might be reduced to $167 because the judge stipulated he first had to look into the option of having the offender affied, instead of a complete presenting.
Potter's Lake
Friday May 2nd 1980
12:00-3:00 p.m.,
He said he began litigation on the damage, which occurred last October, after trying unsuccessfully to get the names of the pointers involved.
The University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas (A Picnic-style lunch will be served) (in case of rain, multi-purpose Room, Level 1, Satellite Union)
All former tutors and students are encouraged to attend
Sponsored by
Secretary of Aging, Kannas Department on Aging will be the keynote speaker
SUPPORTIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Barbara Sabol
Patronize Kansan advertisers.
Bolfea said he was told by Legal Services
"There is just a certain percentage of deadbeats." he said.
Elwell said Lawrence was a busy town for small claims cases because the student population resulted in a lot of landlord-grade cases, such as damage deposits never returned.
"The main thing I would suggest," he said, "is to talk to the person you are going to see and seeing if you can reach a compromise."
"You're taking chances if it's just a swearing match." Ruddick said.
However, Elwell said if the defendant did not have a job, did not have any assets, or had a wage that barely kept him and his family income, collection might never occur.
Associate District Court Judge Mike Ellwell said participants in a suit often opted for court action before talking to the person they planned to sue.
In cases where the defendant refused to pay, the plaintiff may file for an order of garnishment, through which the court requires an employer to withhold a certain amount of the defendant's wage, or a writ of demand against the employer setting of certain property for settlement.
Ewell said people often assumed that once they receive a judgment in their favor for a certain amount, the court guaranteed them their money.
He said sometimes defendants told him, "I adduit to this, and if the person had just told me we could have solved on our own."
He said court action should be viewed only as a final alternative to private negotiation.
On the contrary, he said, collection is the individual's responsibility.
TOMORROW; THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES FILM SERIES will present "Koester on Creativeity" and "Why Man Lives" at 2:30 p.m. in Lippincott Hall Basement. The NAVAL ROTC will be its Spring Review at 3:30 p.m. on the Allen Field House lawn. The BIOLOGY CLUB will meet at 3:30 p.m. in the University Union. The BLACK CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room in the Satellite Union. The INTER-VARSITY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the International Room in the Union.
"It was just the (court) reporter, the incle and myself" he said.
The trial was much more informal than he had expected, Bolfea said.
"If something can't be settled," he said, "it's a real viable option for students."
At the trial, he brought his estimates and had notes ready for responses to questions from the judge.
KANSAN
On Campus
"After hearing 1,000 cases," he said, "you get to be a little tired of testimony on how clean the ice-box was."
TONGIHT; THE CAMPUS CHRISTIANS
p.m. in the Guest Room on the Union.
THE GAY SERVICES OF KANSAS will have
a general meeting at 7:30 p.m. in Parler A
in Kingston.
judge and myself. *re:am*
Judge Rudnick, attorney for KU Student College, struck out students at school who学生 coming to him with legal problems were able to find solutions in small claims court.
plenty of evidence and possibly witnesses, if applicable.
*---with..., Beth Scalet..., Lynch & McLeen..., Prophecy...*
*---Dodge Band..., and Black Frost...*
*---Tuesday, May 6, 1980---Potters pavilion---
*---Noon till 7:00 pm., non-stop music & entertainment---
*---Games, giveaways and prizes---
*In case of rain you will must to the union hallroom*
TOADY: THE GRADUATE BUSINESS COUNCIL will meet at 10 a.m. in 111 Summermer Hall. There will be an IPSPORA SEEMED COACH CHELSEI. The GRADUATE WOMEN'S GROUP will meet at noon in Cork Room 2 in the Kansas Union. The KU GERMAN CLUB will elect next year's officers at 4:30 p.m. in the Cork Room in them.
Ruddick recommended possible small claims court users to go to the trial with
*----In case of rain we will move to the Union ballroom-------*
Presents
JAMES BOND IS BACK IN ACTION!
EVERYTHING HE TOUCHES TURNS TO EXCITEMENT
Plus: Laurel & Hardy in "Double Whoopee,"
costuming Jean Harlow.
Sunday, May 4 2:00 pm $1.50 Wooldruff Auditorium
—No refreszments allowed—
Presents
WINNER
ACADEMY AWARDS
INCLUDING
BEST PICTURE
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
BEST FILM EDITING
BEST SOUND
INVISIBLE PICTURES & EFFILMS presents THE DEER HUNTER
O. Jeffrey JOHN CAZALE JOHN SAVAGE MENY STREEP CHRISTOPHER WHELMAN
Savage by DEREK WAHLBERN Michael CHAELM DMNO DEREK WAHLBERN
Louis GORRIS DAWN KINNEY Professional Children Careman JONATHAN CARLELL
Professional Picture MARION BISHKEVER Michael CAULLELL Michael STANLEY MIERS
Protects by JEREMY SPRUNG Michael FIELLE Michael DMNO JERemy PEARLMAN
Director by PHILIPA VILMUS JSUNSWARD Michael CHAELM DMNO
riday & Saturday, May 2-3 3:30, 7:00 to 10:15 p.m.
$1.50 Woodruff Auditorium
— no refreshes allowed —
J.HOOD BOOKS
THE SCHOLARS' BOOKSTORE
ALL 25,000 PAPERBACKS 1/2 PRICE 1401 Mass.841-4644