My small claims hearing was yesterday (May 14, 2008).
Not only did the competent fact witness not show up, but the attorney for the plaintiff did not bother to travel the one hour it takes to get to this hearing! They hired (?) a lawyer from this area to fill in for her.
Judge stated that if any defendant disputes the claim(s) made by plaintiff, that there would be mandatory mediation. I disputed the plaintiff's claim(s)
So I met with the mediator and the (fill in) lawyer. We went over my documents. I stated that I demanded a hearing and that I want to face the competent fact witness. I also stated that the affidavit attached to the summons was bogus for not having a relevant signature. The lawyer agreed with me.
She stated that she was going to call the attorney in Portland to see what they wanted to do. She was gone for approximately 10 minutes. When she returned, she stated that the plaintiff was withdrawing their claim(s), but she also stated that it didn't mean that they would not try to sue me again.
So I left the courthouse not realizing that I had to file my defense documents (duh!). So I went up to the courthouse today to file them, and to give the judge an order to dismiss the case, with prejudice. But the clerk said that I didn't have to file my documents for the case was dismissed WITH PREJUDICE!
Here is a copy of the judgment...
