Page 44 - Judgment Enforcement Course

Judgment Enforcement – The Step-by-Step Course

You may also be able to figure out the numbering system through the court computer

or at the court’s website.

UGoal 4: If possible, introduce yourself to the Court Clerks

These are the people behind the counter who explain to citizens how to
file their suits. They also schedule court dates and accept payments. You
will be seeing these clerks again and again. Some Judgment
Enforcement people complain about clerks, especially if they are rude,
which sometimes they are. But I always try to make friends. Plus, I look at it this way: the

clerks are my helpers who are paid by the state instead of by me. Hey! They are actually
keeping my overhead down.

UGoal 5: Now dive in! Commit yourself

Go ahead and pull a couple of files if you can, or examine them on the computer. Why not?
You’re there. The files are there. This is your business.

If you’re going to pull a physical file, you probably have to ask for it
by number. But what number?

Again, here’s how to find a case by Case Number: If the
current cases are SB 18-00433 (which might mean they are from the
year 2018), ask the clerk for cases SB 14-0433, SB 14-0434, and SB 14-0435. These will
obviously be from 2014. You may have to fill out a file slip to request them. The clerk will
then pull the files. Sit down and look through them carefully. In the next chapter I’ll tell
you very specific things to look for in each file. For now, just see how the file is organized.

• What does the Judgment look like?

• Are the most recent papers on the top or bottom? (Probably the top)

• What is attached on the right side of the folder and what is on the left side?

• What was the case about?

• Was it a default case? (Meaning that the JD didn’t show up to defend.)

• How was he served?

• Did the JD counter-sue – that is, sue back at the plaintiff.

• Are there photos?

• What other papers are in there?

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