What if I do not appear at the hearing / trial?
Failure to appear at the hearing on the merits is more than bad manners; if you fail to appear, you might immediately lose regardless of the merits of your claim or defense. If a party does not show up at the hearing, and that party has not given the judge a good reason, the judge has the discretion of allowing or not allowing another hearing. The judge can, and quite possibly will, decide the case in favor of the party who attended the scheduled hearing. If you cannot attend the hearing on the date the court has scheduled, you may file a motion / request for continuance. The judge will decide whether or not your request is granted.

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1. What is small claims court?
2. What cases can the court handle?
3. Who can sue or be sued?
4. Where do I file my claim?
5. How do I file my claim?
6. What does it cost?
7. I’ve been sued! What do I do now?
8. What if the claim is settled before hearing?
9. How do I prepare my case?
10. What is mediation?
11. How does mediation work?
12. Why mediate?
13. What if I do not appear at the hearing / trial?
14. What if I win or lose?
15. How do I get my money?