Rentwise! Chapter Four -- Court Day

BE THERE!
The detainer warrant will show time and place. Show up on time and plan to spend about 3 hours because the docket may be full. If you don't show, the landlord can automatically be granted whatever rent he claims you owe. Be in court (even though you may know you'll lose) with rent receipts--especially for any rent you've paid since receiving the notice of eviction.

BE SQUARE!
Guys . . . lose the baseball cap! Wear a suit or jacket and tie. Put the long hair in a pony tail. Let's face it, courts are mainstream System. Your appearance tells the Judge whether you take the situation seriously or not. Women should wear conservative business clothes and avoid a sexy image.

BE PREPARED!
The Judge will ask a few questions. Listen! Then answer directly and submit your documentation. Don't vent your spleen or try to list all the misdeeds of the landlord. Stay with the issue at hand and get to the point! If you're in court because you haven't paid rent, don't choose that time to talk about poor maintenance, unless you've followed the law in paying for repairs yourself (see Maintenance in this chapter). Repair problems are not a legal reason to withhold rent unless the unit is truly uninhabitable. Practice beforehand if you want to bring important new information to the proceeding. Make your points briefly and clearly and look the judge in the eye.

BE AWARE!
Like it or not, you're in the presence of POWER. Be respectful and be humble. "Attitude" will get you nowhere fast! The judge has heard a million cases and all the excuses and sob stories too. He got where he is because he's very quick and perceptive. He will know by the organized way you present yourself if your story is worth listening to. You will prejudice the court against you if you become loud, whiny or argumentative, or if your story is hard to understand.

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