Over the years, my wife and I have watched a lot of court TV. I suppose after celebrity chefs it was only logical that we should have celebrity judges. On any given weekday, in our catchment area, there are about 6 or 7 judge shows on TV. We watch only two of them: Judge Judy and The People’s Court. We used to watch Judge Joe Brown too but he seems to be such a moss-backed reactionary that we gave up. Anyway, over the years I have learned a number of things about being a litigant in a small claims case. Here are….
13 Things I Have Learned From Watching TV Court Reality Shows
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Rule 1: Always get it in writing.
Rule 2: This applies more, not less, if you do business with friends or relatives.
Rule 3: Never sign anything without reading it all the way through, especially the small print.
Rule 4: Never sign anything if you do not wish to be bound by its terms.
Rule 5: Verbal contracts are usually binding but are frequently impossible to prove.
Rule 6: Verbal modifications of written contracts are meaningless.
Rule 7: Once you give somebody a gift, it is no longer yours. You have no control over it, and you can’t claim it back.
Rule 8: You can not unilaterally turn a gift into a loan if you have a falling out with the recipient.
Rule 9: If someone makes you a gift of anything substantial, especially money, try to get them to confirm in writing that it is a gift, just to avoid misunderstandings or unpleasantness at a later date.
Rule 10: If you have a car accident, always call the police.
Rule 11: Especially if the other party begs you not to!
Rule 12: Photographs are frequently the best evidence in cases involving accidents, assaults, property disputes and many others.
Rule 13: Not everything bad that happens to a person is grounds for a lawsuit. Do not think that whenever life takes a bad turn, someone has to compensate you for it.
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I used to be addicted to these shows! Now, I will not watch them, or I will just be doing it all day long! :)
www.chelleyoung.com
Posted by: Chelle Y. | August 06, 2008 at 06:15 PM
#13 is an important message.
Posted by: AnthonyNorth | August 06, 2008 at 06:29 PM
Hmmmmmm, for my Tuesday blog I posted photos of our courthouse main entryway. This is kinda spooky that your 13 is all court related.
Stop by if you can find time and read my 13...it'll knock your socks off, pro'lly!
Posted by: Hootin' Anni | August 06, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Weeell... At least you're learning something?? hmmm... I can't stand the people yelling at each other. Reminds me too much of living with my parents! ;)
Once a middle child... always....the middle child....
Posted by: On a limb with Claudia | August 06, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Great things to remember. I love Judge Judy. Fantastic show! Happy TT and thanks for stopping by my place.
Posted by: Michelle | August 06, 2008 at 07:00 PM
That's very good advice. I do not watch those kind of shows because I am always too busy. But when I can watch them they always make laugh.
Happy TT!
Posted by: Ben | August 06, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Hear, hear to #13!!!
Posted by: Janet | August 06, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Thankfully I've never been to court over something like an accident. Happy TT.
Posted by: Sarah @ pussreboots | August 06, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Unfortunately, I haven't always learned this kind of thing in time like: "If there's been an accident while your car was parked, DONT MOVE THE CAR until the policeman sees it even if you are late to work and the car still drives perfectly well if you crawl in through the other side and ignore the caved in driver's door poking you in the ribs."
Posted by: Lilibeth | August 06, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Love Judge Judy too.
Posted by: bluebonnetgirl | August 06, 2008 at 09:55 PM
And, if you go on Judge Judy to litigate, expect to deal with her scathing temper! Good list to remember though. I can ruefully relate to a couple of them.
Posted by: This Eclectic Life | August 06, 2008 at 09:59 PM
Great observations!! I was watching Court TV earlier today myself.
Posted by: soleil | August 06, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Well then....thanks for the info. Im always leery about signing anything and giving someone access to my account via auto payment set up. Do you think I have trust issues??? lol...hey sunshine, how's it going?? I hope you're having a great week. Happy TT!!
Posted by: Lori | August 06, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Oh yeah. Always in writing. And sometimes, not even that helps. Have friends who are willing to come to court in a suit and lie for you.
Posted by: Winter | August 07, 2008 at 12:15 AM
I've watched those shows from time to time. I think it's incredible some of the things they bring to court lol Great list. Happy T13!
Posted by: Adelle Laudan | August 07, 2008 at 01:20 AM
I don't like the celebrity judges shows, but I loved series like LA Law and the like. I think you've picked the rules brilliantly. The system over here in The Netherlands is different from the US system (for example we don't have juries), but that didn't matter at all in watching the series.
Thanks for visiting my Olympics TT.
Posted by: Tink | August 07, 2008 at 02:47 AM
Judge Judy is one of my heroes. I love her quick wit and sharp tongue.
If you want a laugh, stop by and see why Monkey Boy is grosser than gross.
Happy TT!
Posted by: cajunvegan | August 07, 2008 at 03:24 AM
I could not make it alive through even one of those shows. We have german versions of them here and they are godawful boring - I'd rather dig one of my eyes out with a spoon than actually sitting through one of them.
But I liked the rules you came up with. Most of them seem so common-sensical it's a pity most of us haven't really incorporated them into our thinking. Americans especially seem to have a problem getting their head around #13, me thinks. ;)
Posted by: samulli | August 07, 2008 at 07:57 AM
excellent list! now i have the people's court theme song in my head! heh.
Posted by: she | August 07, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Great list. Especially the ones about getting everything in writing.
Posted by: Journeywoman | August 07, 2008 at 08:49 AM
It's unfortunate that our litigious society makes it so we have to be very careful even when dealing with friends and/or relatives.
Posted by: Malcolm | August 07, 2008 at 09:25 AM
I hope you learned to never go on one of the shows:)
good list
http://joyismygoal.blogspot.com/
name game fun
Posted by: marcia@joyismy goal | August 07, 2008 at 09:43 AM
I learned that most tv judges are very dramatic. :)
Posted by: Maribeth | August 07, 2008 at 11:04 AM
I've never watched reality court tv... but this all looks like terrific advice.
Good to know!
Posted by: LingoVise | August 07, 2008 at 11:57 AM
actually it's not that scary. if you study contract law there is always way to get around.
thanks for stopping by. happy TT
Posted by: jerine | August 07, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Some great things to remember, but #13 is the one more people need to remember. Happy TT
Posted by: Chris | August 07, 2008 at 12:33 PM
It seems it's just common sense, doesn't it. But I've been guilty of not doing these things in the past. Great TT!
Posted by: mitchypoo | August 07, 2008 at 12:57 PM
I went through a short phase of watching Judge Judy, but quickly tired of the silly things people were always on there for.
Posted by: YummY! | August 07, 2008 at 02:17 PM
There should be something on here about revising your wardrobe for court day, too...
Posted by: Thea @ I'm a Drama Mama | August 07, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Keep records! That comes from experience not court shows.
Posted by: colleen | August 07, 2008 at 03:54 PM
All very true! I find those shows rather humorous myself. Maybe it's not nice to make fun of people who are ignorant, but it certainly makes me feel better. =P
Posted by: Gwen Mitchell | August 07, 2008 at 08:14 PM
All very true! I find those shows rather humorous myself. Maybe it's not nice to make fun of people who are ignorant, but it certainly makes me feel better. =P
Posted by: Gwen Mitchell | August 07, 2008 at 08:14 PM
good to know man, i was thinking of suing the devil for stealing my lollipop... happy TT!
Posted by: Elaine | August 08, 2008 at 02:42 AM
Great list. I've learned a lot on Court TV. Judge Judy rubs me the wrong way. I like Judge Brown because he tells it like it is.
Posted by: Dera | August 09, 2008 at 01:50 AM
I've learned the same things! :)
Happy Belated T13!
Posted by: No Nonsense girl | August 11, 2008 at 09:52 AM