For Immediate Release:
 January 09, 2008

Media Contact:
Sonya M. Perez
soperez@miamidade.gov
 305-375-4942



Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department Launches New Series of 2008 Small Claims Court Clinic

First Session to be Held in North Miami Beach on Wednesday, January 23, 2008


(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- Miami-Dade residents who have been wronged in some way and would like to address their grievances by filing in Small Claims Court can get the guidance they need by attending a free clinic offered by the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department (CSD).  The Department has just released the 2008 Small Claims Court Clinics calendar listing all the dates, times and locations for the clinics.  Several are designed for Spanish-speakers and also address the topic of collecting on a judgment.

The first session in the 2008 series of Small Claims Court Clinics will be held Wednesday, January 23, at the McDonald Center, 17051 NE 19th Avenue, in North Miami Beach at 7 p.m.  Miami-Dade Consumer Advocate Leonard Elias, who leads the clinics, will guide residents through the Small Claims Court process, which can often be a daunting task for an individual filing for the first time.

“We have 16 clinics scheduled for 2008.  As we do every year, we will be educating residents on the Small Claims Court process using a step-by-step approach to simplify what can be an overwhelming amount of information,” Elias said.  “Residents can save a bundle of money by filing in Small Claims Court rather than hiring an attorney to represent them in matters that involve claims of $5,000 or less.”

In addition to giving a detailed explanation of how the Small Claims Court works – from filing an action to collecting on a judgment – Elias will distribute sample packages of the required legal forms and answer participants’ questions.

The Small Claims Court Clinics are free and open to the public.  Reservations are not required.

To view the full list of clinics scheduled for the year, visit www.miamidade.gov/csd/court_clinics.asp.  For questions regarding the clinics or additional information, call the Consumer Services Department Mediation Center at (305) 375-3677, or visit the website at www.miamidade.gov/csd.
 

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CONSUMER SERVICES DEPARTMENT