Plantiff has to pay the defendents legal fees in North Carolina small claims court?

[mpgxsvcd]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NC

We recently were the plaintiffs in a case that was dismissed. We were asking for $1200 and instead the judge awarded the defendant $2000 in legal fees. Is that right in North Carolina? Do you have to counter sue for legal fees or can you just ask for them?

 

[Mass_Shyster]

I wouldn't dare to challenge a judge's decision without ALL the facts.

 

[mpgxsvcd]

I wouldn't dare to challenge a judge's decision without ALL the facts.

Yes I understand that. I was si8mply asking can a judge award Attorney's fees in North Carolina without a counter suit?

 

[Zigner]

Yes I understand that. I was si8mply asking can a judge award Attorney's fees in North Carolina without a counter suit?

I very recently heard of a case where exactly that happened:

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NC

We recently were the plaintiffs in a case that was dismissed. We were asking for $1200 and instead the judge awarded the defendant $2000 in legal fees. Is that right in North Carolina? Do you have to counter sue for legal fees or can you just ask for them?

 

[Antigone*]

Yes I understand that. I was si8mply asking can a judge award Attorney's fees in North Carolina without a counter suit?

Sounds to me like he can.

 

[Silverplum]

Yes I understand that. I was si8mply asking can a judge award Attorney's fees in North Carolina without a counter suit?

The judge can, because the judge did.

The type of lawsuit matters: just a quick read (yup, Google is so useful! ) tells me that much.

 

[BL]

Haven't searched ,but perhaps the suite was filed frivolously.