elliebean said:
One of the clerks (I get different answers dependign on who i talk to) told me that I could either file a motion to dismiss ahead of time...pay the $10 fee and either come in to the courthouse or mail it in. Or I can just do an oral motion to dismiss the morning of court after the judge has done his opening speech and they have done the roll call. After that, I was told to approach the clerk and request that before the court starts hearing cases. She said they do all the motions first and then move on to trials. I asked what the benefit would be for me to file ahead of time and she said there was none. Does this sound right? i just want to be assured that my motion is heard before I have to go to trial. If they deny the motion (which i don't see how they could) I also want to make sure I have time to settle before the trial. As I mentioned in my other post, if I lose this case and there is a judgment against me, I don't want that going on my credit report.
If I did want to counter-sue, when is the best time to do that? I am hoping if it gets dismissed, she will drop it but I am sure she will just re-file in Maryland. Another novice question...can a judgment be filed against a plaintiff or only a defendant?
Of course you could decide to countersue for your additional costs and court costs, by accepting jurisdiction in DC or take the chance of getting it dismissed in DC and if they don't sue you in MD, being out the money.
Now you will have to research your options in DC.
Here are several links to the small claims court in DC.
About DC Courts - Representing Yourself (Pro Se Litigants)
DC LAW STUDENTS IN COURT 806 7th Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001 ... Provides assistance with landlord-tenant, bankruptcy, small claims, ...
http://www.dccourts.gov/dccourts/about/prose_links.jsp
District of Columbia Courts
Representing Yourself in the Courts · Representing Yourself in the Courts ... The DC Courts, the judicial branch of the District of Columbia government, ...
http://www.dccourts.gov/
DC Court of Appeals - Representing Yourself in an Appeal
Pro se Small Claims Appeals This guide is only for people who don't have a lawyer and are representing ... 500 Indiana Ave., NW Washington, DC 20001 ...
http://www.dcca.state.dc.us/dccourts/appeals/represent/index.jsp
DC Court of Appeals - Representing Yourself in a Civil Appeal
Don't expect special treatment just because you're representing yourself, everyone has to follow the Rules. ... 500 Indiana Ave., NW Washington, DC 20001 ...
http://www.dcca.state.dc.us/dccourts/appeals/represent/civil.jsp