Discussions

I'm just wondering your opinions on what minimum dollar amount would be considered a waste of the court's time?

Someone was found guilty and pleaded guilty to damage to our property in small claims court.  
 
She had so long to pay for the damages. She did not pay and we got a letter she had an extension. That was about 6 years ago and we have yet to hear another thing or receive the money for damages.  
 
She has not job, can't garnishee washes, etc.  
 
So, guilty she was, but no one follows up on it anyway.  
 
Our dollar amount was around $250. Nothing we could not have paid ourselves, but the police caught her red handed at our house.  
 
I guess that was "not" us taking her to small claims court, but her being ordered to court.

Small claims court is a waste of time and money unless you are suing someone that has a job and cash  
I sued a carpenter years ago and he opted to leave town  
I saw him a couple years after and he just laughed at me when I said he owed me money  
Even if you win sometimes you win nothing  
Not a good system in my mind

Thanks to everyone who responded. It's disappointing to hear that it doesn't seem to have teeth when it comes to enforcing judgements.

Small Claims Court once and the judge there asked if I had talked to the "people" I had the judgement against. Oh boy, I thought that was an odd question. I couldn't get anywhere with the "people" involved so that's why I went to Small Claims Court. Da... It was a waste of time but in the end I sort of won. The other party had to dish out money to a good cause....

It's an extra fee but you can get an order to seize the funds from their bank account...the only catch is I THINK you only get one shot at it or it expires in a week or something like that. You'd have to ask the person at the courthouse. Best time to do it is end of February beginning of March because that's when most people get their tax refunds or on a Thursday/Friday when people get paid. To be honest I've heard that you've got one shot at it...so you kind of roll the dice, if the money's there you win but if the accounts empty too bad.  
 
Having said that...your question was asking what is the minimum amount before the court thinks you're wasting it's time, I don't think there is an amount but the fact that you ask makes me wonder if it's a waste of your time? If it's more about the principle of it you'll likely just be satisfying yourself. Whoever you owe the money too is just going to REALLY REALLY dislike you and if you're talking about a couple hundred dollars I'd be asking myself what my time was worth...like maybe just file it under lessons learned and move on.