Kick some ass in small claims court

There is only a six-month opportunity to press charges, and I let it lapse. It’s not like I have nothing else to do, and it would be difficult in any case. I spoke to the police once or twice, and they have no interest in pursuing these things, in spite of having all the evidence in hand. The system doesn’t protect the little guy, but that’s no surprise. Funny though, if I stole a $1 item from Home Depot, they would send a $50000 cruiser and a cop in a hurry! :c(

I spoke with a criminal lawyer friend of mine, and he indicated that no one can force the police to press charges. So whatever…I put it on the back burner and will just send any problem clients to collections. (Some day! lol)

Some deadbeat broad – it seems to be women a lot! – bounced some cheques on me!! But this time I have a written contract etc. So I fully intend to press criminal charges…on my day off.

I’m just going to send ‘em to collections now. That’s teh best way for me to not have to deal with them anywhere – even if it’s only been mentally – and to regain the peace that no amount of money can buy.

I am a self-employed contractor. Last year, I built a project worth around $15000 for a couple who deadbeated on me. I got paid less than half between a deposit and a progress payment, but they waited till the project was almost done to drop the ball on me. I’m out > $5000 before I earn any wages. It’s virtually impossible to repossess it, which would cost me a bit of money and a lot of time. (Though with a court order giving me access, I’d do it, just to prove a point.)

There were many lessons learned here, but one of them was that if someone is going to screw you, they will do it when the work is almost done.

I’ve sent them a final demand letter, and their response shows that they’ve had some legal advice. It lists a few points of contention, one of which is major, and all of which are simply ridiculous. The only thing left to do before actually going to court is to respond to this and give them an opportunity to make a reasonable offer that will save us all some time and effort.

Court could easily be a year’s wait…