Floyd County Small Claims Court

Floyd County Small Claims Court

How do I appeal a judgment?

If you are not happy with the court’s decision (and generally at least one party, sometimes both, are not satisfied with the judgment), the party may file an appeal (or ask a higher court to review the judgment). The appeal is heard in the state or superior court of Floyd County. For the appeal, either party may request a jury trial (remember you aren’t entitled to a jury trial in magistrate court). Appeals must be filed within 30 days of the judge’s decision.

Which Types of Cases are Usually filed in Floyd County Small Claims Court?

Here are some examples of common case types which are filed in Floyd County Small Claims court:

• A tenant refuses to pay for damages which are more than the security deposit
• A landlord wants to evict a tenant for failure to pay rent
• Landlord fails to return the security deposit to the tenant
• A Merchant fails to address issues with faulty merchandise
• Borrower refuses to pay back money which was loaned
• A dry cleaner will not pay for clothing which was damaged or lost
• Unnecessary repairs or work done on a car by a mechanic

Locations for Floyd County Small Claims Court

The magistrate court for Floyd County is located at:

3 Government Plaza
Suite 227
Rome, GA 30161

The magistrate judge is Chief Magistrate W. Gene Richardson. The telephone number for the court is: 706-291-5250. The fax number is 706-291-5269.

What’s a default judgment?

If the defendant fails to appear at the hearing or respond to the claim, the judge can issue a default judgment against the defendant. If a default judgment is granted, the plaintiff is entitled to what he or she asked for in the action and court costs. If the plaintiff asks for damages that are not measured in money (like specific property), the court will likely conduct an additional hearing to place a dollar amount on the value of the property (or item being asked for). The defendant has only thirty days to respond to the claim. Once this time period passes, the defendant is in “default.”




Floyd County Small Claim courts may also be referred to as Magistrate Courts. If you are unable to settle a dispute with a person or business, the matter can be filed in magistrate court.
The purpose of magistrate court is to resolve claims in an informal manner for any amount less than $15,000. The process is designed to be quick and inexpensive.

Can the Defendant File a Claim Against the Plaintiff?

The defendant is able to issue a claim against the plaintiff. This is called a counterclaim. The defendant can file this against the plaintiff’s original claim if the defendant’s claim is related to the plaintiff’s initial claim and the amount asked for by the defendant is less than $15,000. A defendant’s counterclaim is generally heard at the same time and date as the plaintiff’s original claim.

Defendant’s Time to Answer

After the case is filed, the clerk of the magistrate court serves the defendant with a copy of the claim along with a summons. The defendant has 30 days to respond or answer the claim.

Which County do I file my case in?

The case must be filed in the County where the defendant (or the person you are suing) lives. If the defendant lives in Floyd County, you may file the case in this County. If the person you are suing is a corporation, the case must be filed in the County where the registered agent for service of process is located. To find the registered agent, contact the Corporations Division of the Secretary of State either online or at 404-656-2817. If the defendant is an unincorporated business (fancy for is not a corporation), file the case in the county where the business is physically located (ie. if the business is located in Floyd County, file it here).
Plaintiff has to also pay a filing fee which is submitted with the initial paperwork. The filing fee includes the cost to serve one defenant. Filing fees vary county to county but are generally between $45 and $55. If an additional defendant is named in the action, there is an extra charge for serving the additional party. This extra charge could be between $25 and $35.
The Clerk for the Magistrate Court can direct you to the necessary forms (and review them for completeness) but is prohibited by law from giving legal advice. A clerk would be able to review your forms to make sure there is a signature in the appropriate blanks but will not be able to tell you which party you should sue. Also, the clerk will not be able to tell you if they think you will win.

Filing Procedures for Floyd Small Claims Court cases

A plaintiff (person who starts the claim or lawsuit) must file a sworn statement with the clerk of the appropriate magistrate court. The sworn statement simply spells out the claims made against the defenant and includes the facts on which the claim is based. The sworn statement should include the following details:

• As the plaintiff, include your name, address, and telephone number (and your attorney’s if you retain one)(This is to ensure the court and other parties can contact you should the need arise).
• Name and strees address of the defendant
• The amount of money the plaintiff is requesting
• Detail why the defendant is being sued (and why this defendant owes the money)
• Copies of all documents relevant to the claims (Keep the originals for your hearing)

Preparing for the Hearing

The following steps are recommended to prepare for the hearing:

• Ensure you have all copies of any documents you need for the case. You should make at least two additional sets of copies (one for the court and one for the other party).
• Speak with all witnesses you intend to call to support your case. You should confirm they are available and willing to appear on the hearing date.
• If you need to bring in a witness to prove your case and the witness is not being cooperative with you, prepare a subpoena.
• If in preparing your documents you find that you need additional documents, you can subpoena documents from other parties as well.
• A subpoena is a piece of paper completed by you and issued by the court which commands certain persons to appear in court and may direct them to bring documents with them or to produce evidence. You can obtain a subpoena from the Floyd County Clerk for the Magistrate Court.
  

  Can I hire an attorney?

  In County cases, you may hire an attorney to represent you but are not required to do so. You are able to file the case on your own, without the assistance of an attorney (again, the process was designed to be inexpensive). Small Claims court judges are heard and decided without a jury. Some courts utilize mediation as a tool to resolve a case without the time and expense of a trial. Some counties will even require a case to attempt to be settled at mediation prior to it being set for trial.

  When will my hearing date be?

  The court selects the hearing date after the defendant responds to the claim in Floyd County. The date for the hearing is generally 15 to 30 days after the defendant files his or her answer.

  Hearing Procedures and Mediation

  In some counties, the court requires both parties to attempt to resolve the case through mediation before the court will hear the case (if the mediation is unsuccessful). Mediation is an attempt to try and settle the case without a hearing. Even if the parties are agreeable to settling the case through mediation, a plaintiff may still ask the defendant to pay court costs. In the event the mediation does not resolve the claim, the case will proceed to the hearing. The court takes in evidence and provides for all parties for an opportunity to present their case. When both (or all parties) are done presenting evidence, the judge will issue a decision. The court may award damages to the plaintiff, defendant, both, or none of the parties depending on what the facts of the case warrant.
  The court has several options if the plaintiff does not appear at the hearing:

  • The court can allow defendant to put on his or her evidence and then issue a decision without hearing from the plaintiff.
  • The court can continue the case to a later date
  • Dismiss the case

  If the defendant does not show at the hearing, the court has the power to grant a default judgment against the defendant. It is called a default judgment because the plaintiff wins the case by “default.” We recommend making sure you attend the hearing regardless of whether you are the plaintiff or the defendant (regardless of whether you think the case is good or bad).