Instructions to Defendants

Important:

Y o u must participate in your hearing on the date and time stated on the Notice to avoid the entry o f a
judgment by default. I f you do not come to court f o r your hearing, a judgment by default may be entered
against you for the amount of money demanded i n the Statement of Claim. I f that happens, the p l a i n t i f f
could take money from your paycheck or your bank account, o r take and sell your personal property, to
pay the claim.

I f you cannot participate in your hearing, call the Small Claims Clerk?s Office at (202) 879-1120 as soon
as you can f o r more information. You must go to the hearing unless the hearing is continued o r cancelled.
To find out i f your hearing is still scheduled call the Small Claims Clerk?s Office. Even i f you want to
admit the claim, and just need more time to pay, you must still come to court to explain your situation.

Before any case goes to trial in the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch, a trained mediator w i l l meet w i t h the
parties to see i f they can agree to a settlement. I f the parties cannot reach a settlement w i t h the mediator, then
the case can be scheduled fora trial on another day.

I f the plaintiff i n your case has a lawyer, that lawyer?s name and contact information are on the Statement o f
Claim. Y o u may contact the plaintiff's lawyer about this case. You do not have to have a lawyer, but you may
choose to get a lawyer or look for legal advice about this matter.

I f you want a lawyer, but cannot afford to pay one, there are many organizations that may be able to help you,
including:
L e g a l A i d S o c i e t y o f the D i s t r i c t o f C o l u m b i a : ( 2 0 2 ) 628-1161
e L e g a l Counsel f o r the E l d e r l y ( i f age 60+): ( 2 0 2 ) 4 3 4 - 2 1 2 0
e Tzedek D C : ( 2 0 2 ) 2 7 4 - 7 3 8 6
e N e i g h b o r h o o d Legal Services Program: (202) 8 3 2 - 6 5 7 7
e D C L a w Students i n Court: ( 2 0 2 ) 6 3 8 - 4 7 9 8

I f y o u h a v e witnesses, books, receipts, o r o t h e r d o c u m e n t s that relate t o this case, y o u s h o u l d b r i n g t h e m w i t h

y o u to court. I f y o u w a n t to have witnesses s u m m o n e d t o c o m e to c o u r t , c o n t a c t t h e S m a l l C l a i m s C l e r k ? s

Office for more information.

When you contact the Small Claims Clerk?s Office about your case, remember to include your case number,
contact information, and court date. Please k n o w that court employees are not allowed to give you legal advice

Usted puede obtener copias en espaiiol de este f o r m u l a r i o en el T r i b u n a l S u p e r i o r d e l D i s t r i t o de

Columbia, E d i f i c i o B, 510 4 t h Street, N W , C u a r t o 120, W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, 0 en:w w w . d c c o u r t s . g o v .

Y o u can get a c o p y o f this f o r m i n Spanish at the Su

p e r i o r C o u r t o f the D i s t r i c t o f C o l u m b i a , B u i l d i n g B ,
510 4 t h S t r e e t N W , R o o m 120, W a s h i n g t o n ,
D.C. 20001, o r at:www.dccourts.gov.