f/k/a . . .

Halt.org is reporting in its latest eJournal that Indiana “Senator James W. Merritt, Jr. introduced Senate Bill 455, which would reduce the small claims jurisdiction from $6,000 to $3,000. This would effectively repeal the recently passed increase in small claims jurisdiction from $3,000 to $6,000. HALT’s research indicates that no state has ever decreased its small claims jurisdictional limit.”

Click here to see the text of Merritt’s (um) meritless bill.  The digest of the Bill states:

“Small claims courts. Provides that the jurisdictional amount for small claims or city court actions includes attorney’s fees. Reduces to $3,000 the jurisdictional amount in small claims or city court actions not involving landlord-tenant disputes, and removes a provision that would have increased the jurisdictional amount to $6,000 in 2005. Permits a pretrial hearing to determine whether a claim is frivolous. Prohibits the granting of a continuance solely on the basis that the party is not represented by an attorney. Requires the judge to file a brief memorandum documenting the reasons for the judgment.”

  Earlier this month, we were worried about small claims reform taking backward steps, but not quite this blatantly.

• Go here to learn more about HALT’s Small Claims Reform activities.

Halt.org is reporting in its latest eJournal that Indiana “Senator James W. Merritt, Jr. introduced Senate Bill 455, which would reduce the small claims jurisdiction from $6,000 to $3,000. This would effectively repeal the recently passed increase in small claims jurisdiction from $3,000 to $6,000. HALT’s research indicates that no state has ever decreased its small claims jurisdictional limit.”

Click here to see the text of Merritt’s (um) meritless bill.  The digest of the Bill states:

“Small claims courts. Provides that the jurisdictional amount for small claims or city court actions includes attorney’s fees. Reduces to $3,000 the jurisdictional amount in small claims or city court actions not involving landlord-tenant disputes, and removes a provision that would have increased the jurisdictional amount to $6,000 in 2005. Permits a pretrial hearing to determine whether a claim is frivolous. Prohibits the granting of a continuance solely on the basis that the party is not represented by an attorney. Requires the judge to file a brief memorandum documenting the reasons for the judgment.”

  Earlier this month, we were worried about small claims reform taking backward steps, but not quite this blatantly.

• Go here to learn more about HALT’s Small Claims Reform activities.