To make a long story short, I took a property owner to Magistrate court here in SC & had a three hour trial over a $1,500 security deposit. In my initial complaint I asked the court to consider triple damages as allowed by law if I prove my case. Well slap me silly. After three hours of acting as my own attorney, the Judge took the case in advisement which means that in a couple of days I would get a phone call from the court clerk with the judge's findings.
Well it turns out, I won the case & was awarded a total amount of $4,580. This reflects my original loss plus the triple damages plus my court costs. This judgement is also bearing interest against the defendant at the rate of 7.5% per year for ten year term. Question now becomes how do I collect this judgement which I filed the next day in court after it was issued to me. This guy is not going to pay. I just know that because its been a month & no word from him. I'm told its game over. I've won, but I will probably never see a dime. The reality is that I would settle it with him for my original claim of $1,500 plus my cour cost & a small amount of the punitive damages awarded. I would like to write him & tell him to pay up & make a settlement offer with me, but everyone I talk to says Im wasting my time & Ive done everything I can do. Have I done everything? I only want my money, Im not looking to punish the guy. Any advice. Has anyone been down this road before. Thanks. :empathy:
Well it turns out, I won the case & was awarded a total amount of $4,580. This reflects my original loss plus the triple damages plus my court costs. This judgement is also bearing interest against the defendant at the rate of 7.5% per year for ten year term. Question now becomes how do I collect this judgement which I filed the next day in court after it was issued to me. This guy is not going to pay. I just know that because its been a month & no word from him. I'm told its game over. I've won, but I will probably never see a dime. The reality is that I would settle it with him for my original claim of $1,500 plus my cour cost & a small amount of the punitive damages awarded. I would like to write him & tell him to pay up & make a settlement offer with me, but everyone I talk to says Im wasting my time & Ive done everything I can do. Have I done everything? I only want my money, Im not looking to punish the guy. Any advice. Has anyone been down this road before. Thanks. :empathy: