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Wasn't Notified About Hearing

  • Thread starter Thread starter CHRISTIEW
  • Start date Start date

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C

CHRISTIEW

Guest
California:
At Unlawful detainer hearing, I proved retaliation by Landlord, then judge asked why I wanted to live in a place I was so unhappy. I told him that I had begged to get out of lease for months but Landlord refused. Judge told me if I could be moved out in two weeks, I wouldn't pay anything (rent for current month b/c Landlord wouldn't accept, utilities for 2 months & attorneys fees). I agreed & was moved out on time.

Problem is that when I picked up Minute Order, it didn't reflect what actually happened in court. All it said was that hearing was continued. I immediately called courthouse and the clerk that prepared the Minute Order told me she would correct Minutes and told me that I didn't need to attend the continued hearing because it was only for the Landlord to attend in case I hadn't moved out. Because of her advice, I didn't go to court and when I picked up Minute Order yesterday, I learned Landlord now has a Judgement against me! I have so much written documentation against Landlord and have spent way too much time trying to prove my case. I wish I could afford an attorney, but as a single mom, it is not possible. I can only hope someone here will be able to give me advice.

The clerk at the court told me I needed to file a "Motion to Set Aside Judgement", but when I asked for the form, she told me there wasn't a form, that it had to be prepared on pleading paper. GREAT! She couldn't tell me how many days I had to file this motion and I'm afraid that since the hearing was on 5/29/01, I may be wasting my time trying to prepare document.

On top of this mess, when I finished thoroughly cleaning my apartment and did a walk-through with Landlord (I expect my deposit back), he was so thrilled that I had cleaned the place and made improvements. Then the Manager handed me a small claims paper that he was suing me for $3,000 rent/utilities/property damage. When I asked why he did it, he told me not to worry about it because he only filed the suit because he wasn't sure how I was going to leave the place. Needless to say, I don't believe him.

Sorry such a long post!
Christie
 


Cvillecpm

Senior Member
Christie...BIG SIGN in EVERY court in CA....Clerks are not allowed to give LEGAL ADVICE. You should have gone to hearing AND not relied on clerk to give you the proper information. Get attorney, pay the bucks and do the motion to set aside the judgement.
 
C

CHRISTIEW

Guest
Shouldn't I have been notified of the Hearing? I only found out about it by accident when I picked up the Minute Order. Regardless of the clerk's bad advice, I was never told about the Hearing continuation.
Christie
 

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