small claims judgment: Judge did not do what she ordered

[Adrianna74]

Our business was awarded a judgment in small claims (Indiana) for $6000 because tenants destroyed our house (condemned). The defendants never came to court and the court issued a bench warrant for defendants, cash bond set in amount of $6000. One defendant was arrested. The Judge allowed to let the defendant bail out for only $800! We received a phone call from the Judges office asking if this was OK and we said NO! The county online docket say's "Court contacts plaintiff and he has no objection to this arrangement. Bond is ordered reduced to $800.00 cash." This is NOT TRUE! Aren't they supposed to issue another court date for that?

What can we do? Do I appeal, file a complaint against the Judge, write to a newspaper, hire a lawyer? Wish I could post photos of the house and show what they did.

Thanks.

 

[moburkes]

Okay. They owe you $6000. They can't pay it while they're in jail. I don't understand what your concern is. Now you need to find any assets to attach.

 

[Adrianna74]

my concern

"Okay. They owe you $6000. They can't pay it while they're in jail. I don't understand what your concern is. Now you need to find any assets to attach."

I wish they had assets. Hard enough finding where they live.

My concern is they had over a year to make some kind of payment arrangements through the court, but never went to court. So if they can't pay they should be in jail as the Judge said they would. Defendant managed to find $800 to pay bond, so they can pay while in jail.

I had to find $6000 to fix my house and pay mortage while the sheriff had a bright orange sign over the front door saying "Do not occupy: condemned" for months.

Thanks

 

[moburkes]

"Okay. They owe you $6000. They can't pay it while they're in jail. I don't understand what your concern is. Now you need to find any assets to attach."

I wish they had assets. Hard enough finding where they live.

My concern is they had over a year to make some kind of payment arrangements through the court, but never went to court. So if they can't pay they should be in jail as the Judge said they would. Defendant managed to find $800 to pay bond, so they can pay while in jail.

I had to find $6000 to fix my house and pay mortage while the sheriff had a bright orange sign over the front door saying "Do not occupy: condemned" for months.

Thanks

You did not have to find $6000 to fix your house. An insurance policy would have paid that claim.