1 00:00:00,500 --> 00:00:02,066 [Judge Judy] Beware, 2 00:00:02,133 --> 00:00:03,533 accident looking to happen. 3 00:00:05,033 --> 00:00:09,233 This piece flew off and damaged their car. 4 00:00:09,300 --> 00:00:10,400 I can't recall. 5 00:00:10,467 --> 00:00:11,533 Actually we took a picture. 6 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:13,600 I can't confirm or deny that I was there. 7 00:00:13,667 --> 00:00:15,333 [Tina] You can see him driving. 8 00:00:17,133 --> 00:00:19,734 [announcer] This is Judy Justice. 9 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:22,800 [theme music playing] 10 00:00:35,667 --> 00:00:37,467 [announcer] Tina and Chad Fellows 11 00:00:37,533 --> 00:00:41,734 are suing business owner Andree Mock for car repairs 12 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:44,967 after his sign hit Tina's vehicle. 13 00:00:45,033 --> 00:00:46,967 [Kevin] Court come to order, all rise. 14 00:00:49,767 --> 00:00:50,667 Be seated, please. 15 00:00:52,233 --> 00:00:53,533 Hello, Judge. 16 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:55,734 Case number 1145, Fellows versus Mock. 17 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:57,667 - Thank you, Kevin. - You're welcome. 18 00:00:57,734 --> 00:00:59,800 Mr. Mock, what kind of business do you have, sir? 19 00:00:59,867 --> 00:01:03,033 I do power washing and leaf blowing bag, 20 00:01:03,100 --> 00:01:04,367 as well as snow blowing. 21 00:01:04,432 --> 00:01:08,033 [Judge Judy] Do you have a regular car or a van that you use? 22 00:01:08,100 --> 00:01:09,000 I have a--I have a truck. 23 00:01:09,066 --> 00:01:10,734 [Judge Judy] And you have signs on your truck. 24 00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:14,266 - [Andree] Yes. - [Judge Judy] And on April 9th, 2021, 25 00:01:14,333 --> 00:01:17,567 you had signs on your truck that were magnetic? 26 00:01:17,633 --> 00:01:18,500 [Andree] I don't recall. 27 00:01:18,567 --> 00:01:20,633 At that time, I--I may have. 28 00:01:20,700 --> 00:01:23,300 But since then, I have went to--to stickers. So 29 00:01:23,367 --> 00:01:26,567 Okay, but you did have magnetic signs on your truck. 30 00:01:26,633 --> 00:01:28,367 At some point, uh, yes. 31 00:01:28,433 --> 00:01:31,467 [Judge Judy] And you had those signs on both sides of your truck? 32 00:01:31,533 --> 00:01:33,033 - Correct. - How large are they? 33 00:01:33,100 --> 00:01:36,500 [Andree] I'd say about 18 by 12 inches. 34 00:01:36,567 --> 00:01:39,000 And those signs say the name of your business? 35 00:01:39,066 --> 00:01:41,033 - Correct. - [Judge Judy] And they say 36 00:01:41,100 --> 00:01:42,834 the telephone number, how to contact you? 37 00:01:42,900 --> 00:01:44,700 - [Andree] Correct. - [Judge Judy] So you're advertising. 38 00:01:44,767 --> 00:01:46,734 - [Andree] Correct. - [Judge Judy] Do you remember the date 39 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:48,600 in April when this incident happened? 40 00:01:48,667 --> 00:01:49,767 According to? 41 00:01:49,834 --> 00:01:51,033 - According to them. - [Andree] I don't. 42 00:01:51,100 --> 00:01:52,433 - [Judge Judy] You don't? - No. 43 00:01:52,500 --> 00:01:55,800 [Judge Judy] But do you remember at some point on or about April 9th, 44 00:01:55,866 --> 00:01:58,800 you checked and you were missing one of your magnetic signs. 45 00:01:58,866 --> 00:02:00,100 At some point in April, yes. 46 00:02:00,166 --> 00:02:02,867 [Judge Judy] And that's because according to Mr. and Mrs. Fellows, 47 00:02:02,934 --> 00:02:06,867 they're driving along and one of those magnetic signs from your car 48 00:02:06,934 --> 00:02:11,433 went flying off your car and hit the mirror of their car, 49 00:02:11,500 --> 00:02:13,233 damaged their mirror, they want you to pay for the mirror. 50 00:02:13,300 --> 00:02:18,000 That's what this whole geschichte is about, right? 51 00:02:18,066 --> 00:02:21,667 And they don't look like crazy people, and you don't look like a crazy person. 52 00:02:21,734 --> 00:02:24,033 So, at some point, what they did, 53 00:02:24,100 --> 00:02:26,033 according to their complaint, Mr. Mock, 54 00:02:26,100 --> 00:02:28,600 is they drove up-- 'cause they're on a highway, 55 00:02:28,667 --> 00:02:30,533 and they drove up next to your car 56 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:33,966 and they wrote down the number from the magnet that hadn't flown off. 57 00:02:34,033 --> 00:02:35,100 So far, correct? 58 00:02:35,166 --> 00:02:37,266 - Actually, we took a picture. - [Judge Judy] Took a picture? 59 00:02:37,333 --> 00:02:38,767 - Great. Can I see it please? - [Tina] He has a magnet 60 00:02:38,834 --> 00:02:40,266 on the other side, too. Yes. 61 00:02:40,333 --> 00:02:41,200 [Judge Judy] Yeah, great. 62 00:02:43,066 --> 00:02:44,934 A photograph makes it so much easier. 63 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:47,900 I got it. This is your sign, sir? 64 00:02:47,966 --> 00:02:49,500 - [Andree] Yes. - [Judge Judy] Great. 65 00:02:49,567 --> 00:02:51,567 [Tina] And you can see him in the picture, as well. 66 00:02:51,633 --> 00:02:52,633 [Judge Judy] Yes. 67 00:02:53,867 --> 00:02:55,800 - Got it. Okay? - Okay. Uh-hmm. 68 00:02:55,867 --> 00:02:58,066 [Judge Judy] And, so that's how they got your information. 69 00:02:58,133 --> 00:02:59,900 - [Andree] Okay. - And then they called you? 70 00:02:59,966 --> 00:03:01,533 Not immediately, no. 71 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:03,633 But at some point, they did make contact with me. 72 00:03:03,700 --> 00:03:04,567 [Judge Judy] Okay. 73 00:03:04,633 --> 00:03:07,834 And after you say that you were startled 74 00:03:07,900 --> 00:03:11,000 by something flying off and hitting the mirror, 75 00:03:11,066 --> 00:03:12,800 which could've been much more dangerous, 76 00:03:12,867 --> 00:03:14,967 these things that [indistinct) and dangerous. 77 00:03:15,033 --> 00:03:16,466 Everybody should be on alert, 78 00:03:16,533 --> 00:03:18,233 they can fly off. 79 00:03:18,300 --> 00:03:21,233 Beware, accident looking to happen. 80 00:03:21,300 --> 00:03:23,934 You examined your car and what did you find? 81 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:27,233 We found that there was a piece on the mirror that was broken. 82 00:03:27,300 --> 00:03:28,367 I have a picture of that as well. 83 00:03:28,433 --> 00:03:29,734 - [Judge Judy] I'd like to see it. - Here it is. 84 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:32,800 And I would like to say the reason we didn't call right away, 85 00:03:32,867 --> 00:03:34,300 um, when I have a chance. 86 00:03:34,367 --> 00:03:35,333 [Kevin] Here, Judge. 87 00:03:37,767 --> 00:03:40,433 [Tina] You can see the magnet that's stuck in the mirror there. 88 00:03:40,500 --> 00:03:42,033 Oh, gee whiz. 89 00:03:43,433 --> 00:03:44,500 [Andree] Your Honor, may I see those as well? 90 00:03:44,567 --> 00:03:46,033 - [Judge Judy] Absolutely. - Uh-hmm. 91 00:03:46,100 --> 00:03:47,300 Absolutely. (chuckles) 92 00:03:47,367 --> 00:03:50,333 And we had emailed these to the defendant, Your Honor. 93 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:51,466 Did you ever see them? 94 00:03:51,533 --> 00:03:53,900 And we exchanged emails as far as that goes. 95 00:03:53,966 --> 00:03:56,966 I actually seen the-- the picture of--of--of me 96 00:03:57,033 --> 00:03:58,367 but I did not see the other ones 97 00:03:58,433 --> 00:04:01,500 and as I was attempting to receive counsel myself, 98 00:04:01,567 --> 00:04:03,233 as far as those goes, I asked... 99 00:04:04,367 --> 00:04:05,467 ...them to, uh 100 00:04:07,533 --> 00:04:09,567 - actually... - That's your sign in their mirror. 101 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:11,200 And we actually have the sign. 102 00:04:11,266 --> 00:04:13,900 - [Judge Judy] That's a piece? - We have the piece of the sign as well. 103 00:04:13,967 --> 00:04:15,633 - [Judge Judy] Oh. Kevin, could you... - [Andree] So I asked them to send me 104 00:04:15,700 --> 00:04:16,567 - these pictures - Just a second. 105 00:04:16,632 --> 00:04:18,600 Would you show that to Mr. Mock, 106 00:04:18,667 --> 00:04:21,166 while you're there so you don't have to make two trips. 107 00:04:21,233 --> 00:04:22,100 Got it? 108 00:04:22,166 --> 00:04:23,400 - Yup. - (chuckles) Okay. 109 00:04:24,900 --> 00:04:27,300 So you see, they come prepared. 110 00:04:27,367 --> 00:04:28,500 - [Andree] Right. - Judy] Great. 111 00:04:28,567 --> 00:04:31,700 So, these are the photographs of your sign in their window. 112 00:04:31,767 --> 00:04:34,233 This is clearly your sign. 113 00:04:36,700 --> 00:04:37,700 It looks like it. 114 00:04:39,300 --> 00:04:41,133 [Chad] You can see the little tree match to the picture. 115 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:42,533 [Judge Judy] I--I see it. 116 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:43,867 Of course he sees it. 117 00:04:43,933 --> 00:04:47,567 Okay. And how much is this going to cost to fix the mirror? 118 00:04:47,633 --> 00:04:49,800 He's responsible for that, he knows that. 119 00:04:49,867 --> 00:04:52,467 The written estimate we finally received from the dealership 120 00:04:52,533 --> 00:04:55,567 where I bought the car was $726.11. 121 00:04:55,633 --> 00:04:57,433 - I have an estimate. - May I see? 122 00:04:58,633 --> 00:05:00,100 - What kind of - [Tina] And I also do have a reason 123 00:05:00,166 --> 00:05:02,300 that we had an initial different price, 124 00:05:02,367 --> 00:05:04,500 um, so it was kind of a long saga. 125 00:05:04,567 --> 00:05:06,467 [Judge Judy] And what year car is it? 126 00:05:06,533 --> 00:05:08,433 It's a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek, 127 00:05:08,500 --> 00:05:10,533 my very first brand new car I ever bought. 128 00:05:11,467 --> 00:05:13,633 [Judge Judy] [indistinct) mirror assembly, glass and trim. 129 00:05:13,700 --> 00:05:16,033 [Chad] Which it has the blind spot sensor in the mirror. 130 00:05:16,100 --> 00:05:17,000 - [Judge Judy] Yeah. - That's why it's so expensive. 131 00:05:17,066 --> 00:05:19,332 [Judge Judy] So you're entitled to have a perfect mirror. 132 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:21,400 You don't have to have it fixed and polished up, 133 00:05:21,467 --> 00:05:22,633 it's a brand new car. 134 00:05:22,700 --> 00:05:24,567 [Judge Judy] Okay. Now you're gonna tell me why you waited 135 00:05:24,633 --> 00:05:26,300 and why you gave him a lower estimate? 136 00:05:26,367 --> 00:05:28,700 [Tina] So, when it first happened, of course we didn't know. 137 00:05:28,767 --> 00:05:30,633 We're driving, you know, 65 miles an hour on the freeway. 138 00:05:30,700 --> 00:05:32,200 I got--we're past that already. 139 00:05:32,266 --> 00:05:33,734 - [Tina] So didn't know it was damaged... - We're--we have-- 140 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:36,834 we have confirmed liability. 141 00:05:36,900 --> 00:05:39,233 - Okay. - Do you--do you understand that? 142 00:05:39,300 --> 00:05:42,266 We have confirmed liability. 143 00:05:42,332 --> 00:05:45,266 This came off of your car, you're liable. 144 00:05:45,332 --> 00:05:46,332 Period. 145 00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:47,867 Based on the dates that they gave you, I... 146 00:05:47,933 --> 00:05:49,567 - [Judge Judy] Period. - ...can't confirm or deny that... 147 00:05:49,633 --> 00:05:50,567 - [Judge Judy] I--just a second. - ...that I was there. 148 00:05:50,633 --> 00:05:51,867 [Judge Judy] (chuckles) You don't have to confirm or deny. 149 00:05:51,933 --> 00:05:52,800 [Andree] Or what date they came. 150 00:05:52,867 --> 00:05:54,166 That's what I'm here for. 151 00:05:54,233 --> 00:05:56,433 That's what they pay me all this money for. 152 00:05:56,500 --> 00:05:57,633 - [Andree] Right. - [Judge Judy] I'm telling you, 153 00:05:57,700 --> 00:05:59,233 there are two parts of a civil case, 154 00:05:59,300 --> 00:06:01,233 whether you're responsible for something 155 00:06:01,300 --> 00:06:03,367 and if you are responsible for it, 156 00:06:03,433 --> 00:06:04,734 what the damages are. 157 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:07,200 That's the two parts of a civil case. 158 00:06:07,266 --> 00:06:09,567 They've already, in my judgment, 159 00:06:09,633 --> 00:06:13,233 met their burden to show that on the 9th of April, 160 00:06:14,266 --> 00:06:18,867 this piece from your car 161 00:06:18,934 --> 00:06:21,200 on the other side flew off 162 00:06:21,266 --> 00:06:23,500 and damaged their car, 163 00:06:23,567 --> 00:06:26,633 so liability is finished. 164 00:06:26,700 --> 00:06:28,400 I--have something to say. So April 9th, 165 00:06:28,467 --> 00:06:30,900 can you ask them to confirm at what time? 166 00:06:30,967 --> 00:06:33,467 Because I'm a--I'm a-- I'm a school teacher as well. 167 00:06:33,533 --> 00:06:34,700 - So I own my own business - [Judge Judy] Listen to me. 168 00:06:34,767 --> 00:06:36,367 You're in the car, sir. 169 00:06:36,433 --> 00:06:37,500 You're in the car. 170 00:06:37,567 --> 00:06:39,133 Right. So my magnet did fall off the car 171 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:40,900 but that doesn't necessarily state 172 00:06:40,967 --> 00:06:43,367 that my magnet came in contact with their car 173 00:06:43,433 --> 00:06:45,700 and that's just not--uh, I mean, I--I don't--I think it's not 174 00:06:45,767 --> 00:06:47,400 [Judge Judy] Mr. Mock, I don't care what you think. 175 00:06:47,467 --> 00:06:49,633 If you're a school teacher, I'm worried for the kids. 176 00:06:49,700 --> 00:06:51,900 I've explained it to you very carefully, Mr. Mock. 177 00:06:51,967 --> 00:06:53,667 I've explained it to you. 178 00:06:53,734 --> 00:06:56,667 This, plus this, 179 00:06:56,734 --> 00:07:00,533 plus this, establishes your liability. 180 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:01,934 - Uh-hmm. - [Judge Judy] Period. 181 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:04,800 The only question is damages. 182 00:07:04,867 --> 00:07:07,867 Now, in this case, the car is a new car. 183 00:07:07,934 --> 00:07:10,066 If the mirror was at all damaged, 184 00:07:10,133 --> 00:07:12,400 they're entitled to have a new mirror. 185 00:07:12,467 --> 00:07:13,600 - And which I tried to do. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 186 00:07:13,667 --> 00:07:14,667 - Just a second. - Okay. Go ahead. 187 00:07:14,734 --> 00:07:16,300 [Judge Judy] So what I've said to you is 188 00:07:16,367 --> 00:07:19,400 two parts, liability, damages. 189 00:07:19,467 --> 00:07:21,000 How do I know for sure, 190 00:07:21,066 --> 00:07:24,000 it was your sign that came off your car 191 00:07:24,066 --> 00:07:26,133 that they retrieved from their mirror 192 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:29,367 that looks exactly like your sign on April 9th. 193 00:07:29,433 --> 00:07:30,467 How do I know that? 194 00:07:30,533 --> 00:07:32,667 I know that because it's common sense 195 00:07:32,734 --> 00:07:35,467 and the law is not supposed to be an ass. 196 00:07:35,533 --> 00:07:37,233 Teach that to your children. 197 00:07:37,300 --> 00:07:38,600 - That's right, thank you. - [Judge Judy] Okay? 198 00:07:38,667 --> 00:07:40,967 So the question is one of damages. 199 00:07:41,033 --> 00:07:42,600 - [Tina] Okay. - Now you were going to tell me, 200 00:07:42,667 --> 00:07:45,166 Ms. Fellows, without any drama, 201 00:07:45,233 --> 00:07:47,000 and without any hearsay, 202 00:07:47,066 --> 00:07:49,800 why it took you time to call him. 203 00:07:49,867 --> 00:07:52,000 - Okay. - And why you initially gave him 204 00:07:52,066 --> 00:07:53,266 a lower estimate. 205 00:07:53,332 --> 00:07:55,332 [Tina] Okay. We were on our way to our church meeting 206 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:57,667 so when we got there, we saw the damages. 207 00:07:57,734 --> 00:08:00,967 So, the next day, we called Germain Subaru 208 00:08:01,033 --> 00:08:04,066 and my husband tried to explain over the phone what the part was. 209 00:08:04,133 --> 00:08:06,734 At that time, the person thought that they knew... 210 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:09,166 [Judge Judy] Don't tell me you see you-- now you're telling me hearsay. 211 00:08:09,233 --> 00:08:10,533 Okay. They said-- they said it's [indistinct] 212 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:11,900 And you can't--you can't do that. 213 00:08:11,967 --> 00:08:14,033 - You can't do that. - [Tina] But, um, I'm just trying 214 00:08:14,100 --> 00:08:15,400 to explain why with the hesitation. 215 00:08:15,467 --> 00:08:16,367 - Okay. - So they have shown... 216 00:08:16,433 --> 00:08:18,033 - So he had--just a second. - ...it was a $20 part. 217 00:08:18,100 --> 00:08:21,233 You keep trying to talk faster to me, Ms. Fellows, 218 00:08:21,300 --> 00:08:23,800 but what I'm telling you is whether you talk faster or not, 219 00:08:23,867 --> 00:08:26,233 I'm not paying attention to what you're saying 220 00:08:26,300 --> 00:08:28,000 - that involves hearsay. - All right. 221 00:08:28,066 --> 00:08:32,100 Now, if what you're telling me is that the first time you took the car 222 00:08:32,165 --> 00:08:35,799 into Germain Subaru which is where you purchased the car 223 00:08:35,866 --> 00:08:37,533 and they gave you this estimate, 224 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:39,866 it was the first written estimate that you got, 225 00:08:39,933 --> 00:08:41,066 I accept that. 226 00:08:41,133 --> 00:08:44,265 Don't tell me, "I--because my husband spoke to somebody on the phone, 227 00:08:44,333 --> 00:08:46,000 they described what the problem was, 228 00:08:46,066 --> 00:08:48,467 they gave him an estimate of--" 229 00:08:48,533 --> 00:08:49,367 You can't do that. 230 00:08:49,433 --> 00:08:50,500 - Okay. - [Judge Judy] That's hearsay. 231 00:08:50,567 --> 00:08:51,967 - [Tina] Okay. - [Judge Judy] So, the next day, 232 00:08:52,033 --> 00:08:54,400 you took it into Germain Subaru, okay? 233 00:08:54,467 --> 00:08:56,100 And you called the defendant. 234 00:08:56,165 --> 00:08:58,500 So that would've been the 10th or 11th. 235 00:08:58,567 --> 00:09:01,834 [Tina] The first time we called him, I left him a very detailed message. 236 00:09:01,900 --> 00:09:02,934 - [Judge Judy] What day? - [Tina] He did not... 237 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:04,033 - He never called me back. - What date? 238 00:09:04,100 --> 00:09:05,000 What date? 239 00:09:05,066 --> 00:09:06,333 April 10th. 240 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:07,667 Did you not call her back? 241 00:09:07,734 --> 00:09:09,400 [Andree] I did not receive a phone call 242 00:09:09,467 --> 00:09:11,533 nor a voicemail from, from, from her. 243 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:14,667 [Judge Judy] Okay. Then I don't have to deal any further with this case, sir... 244 00:09:14,734 --> 00:09:16,800 Then you have to pay for new mirror... 245 00:09:16,867 --> 00:09:19,300 - [Andree] No. - [Judge Judy] ...$726.11. 246 00:09:19,367 --> 00:09:22,467 [Andree] Now, after that, we did have a conversation over the phone. 247 00:09:22,533 --> 00:09:26,200 [Judge Judy] Okay. Well after that, let's be clear. 248 00:09:26,266 --> 00:09:29,300 She said she left you a detailed message. 249 00:09:29,367 --> 00:09:30,533 - [Andree] Uh-hmm. - [Judge Judy] Whether you received 250 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:32,867 that message and decided to blow it off, 251 00:09:32,934 --> 00:09:34,133 I don't know. 252 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:37,734 But I guarantee you that the next communication, 253 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:39,000 she initiated. 254 00:09:39,066 --> 00:09:40,165 - Yes, Your Honor. - [Judge Judy] Right? 255 00:09:40,233 --> 00:09:41,367 - [Andree] Correct. Uh-hmm. - [Judge Judy] Right. 256 00:09:41,433 --> 00:09:43,700 And the next communication, 257 00:09:43,767 --> 00:09:46,433 you did answer the phone or you called her back? 258 00:09:46,500 --> 00:09:48,165 [Andree] No, I answered the phone. I believe so, right? 259 00:09:48,233 --> 00:09:49,200 - Yes. - Is that--yeah. Uh, yeah. 260 00:09:49,266 --> 00:09:50,133 - [Judge Judy] Yes. - [Andree] Uh-hmm. 261 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:51,834 [Judge Judy] And the two of you spoke. 262 00:09:51,900 --> 00:09:54,266 - Right. - [Judge Judy] Is that when she gave you 263 00:09:54,333 --> 00:09:55,433 a lower estimate? 264 00:09:55,500 --> 00:09:58,033 I don't recall but she did give me details 265 00:09:58,100 --> 00:10:01,533 about her taking pictures and, um, my magnet. 266 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:03,934 Did she tell you she took the car into Germain? 267 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:05,567 [Andree] I--I can't--I can't recall but... 268 00:10:05,633 --> 00:10:08,400 [Judge Judy] Then I'm gonna go back to what I said five minutes ago. 269 00:10:08,467 --> 00:10:13,467 Judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $726.11. 270 00:10:13,533 --> 00:10:15,533 - Ma'am? - Thank you, Your Honor. 271 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:18,400 Uh, the first initial estimate was $240... 272 00:10:18,467 --> 00:10:19,300 We're done. 273 00:10:19,367 --> 00:10:20,633 We're done, Mr. Mock. 274 00:10:20,700 --> 00:10:21,533 We're finished. 275 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:22,834 Do you understand? Do you understand? 276 00:10:22,900 --> 00:10:24,734 - Two things, just pay attention - [Andree] And I also... 277 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:27,734 ...and what you have to teach your students if you're a teacher is 278 00:10:27,800 --> 00:10:29,100 when something happens, 279 00:10:29,166 --> 00:10:31,000 that is more your fault 280 00:10:31,066 --> 00:10:32,867 - than somebody else's fault... - [Andree] To be liable. 281 00:10:32,934 --> 00:10:35,667 [Judge Judy] ...what you're supposed to do is take responsibility... 282 00:10:35,734 --> 00:10:36,900 - [Chad] Correct. - [Judge Judy] ...and not stand here 283 00:10:36,967 --> 00:10:39,000 and say, "Well, I'm not a hundred percent sure 284 00:10:39,066 --> 00:10:39,934 that it was the 9th, 285 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:42,834 whether that I had the decals on, I'm not exactly sure." 286 00:10:42,900 --> 00:10:45,266 And then she calls you, leaves you a detailed message, 287 00:10:45,333 --> 00:10:46,500 you don't call her back, 288 00:10:46,567 --> 00:10:48,900 she has a repair estimate from Germain. 289 00:10:48,967 --> 00:10:50,900 - They are a reparative - [Andree] May I see that? 290 00:10:50,967 --> 00:10:52,500 [Judge Judy] Absolutely. 291 00:10:59,767 --> 00:11:01,734 And I've--I've-- I've tried to call this guy 292 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:03,533 and he hasn't returned my phone calls. 293 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:06,200 I don't know whether that's true or not and I don't care. 294 00:11:08,467 --> 00:11:11,600 You told her that the name of your business 295 00:11:11,667 --> 00:11:15,433 was Inner Movement Wellness, a professional corporation? 296 00:11:15,500 --> 00:11:19,133 [Veronica] Okay. I told her I needed an expert to help me 297 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:20,800 - because it was very... - No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, 298 00:11:20,867 --> 00:11:22,400 no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. 299 00:11:27,133 --> 00:11:29,834 [suspenseful music playing] 300 00:11:33,266 --> 00:11:36,533 [announcer] Tina and Chad Fellows claim business owner 301 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:38,633 Andree Mock owes for car repairs 302 00:11:39,700 --> 00:11:41,767 after his sign hit Tina's vehicle. 303 00:11:41,834 --> 00:11:44,000 [Judge Judy] Now, all you have to do sir 304 00:11:44,066 --> 00:11:46,066 is either you have an expert here 305 00:11:46,133 --> 00:11:48,367 or you have for me something 306 00:11:48,433 --> 00:11:51,734 that is the cost price of a new mirror 307 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:55,767 for a 2020 Subaru automobile. 308 00:11:55,834 --> 00:11:58,467 I don't have to have that evidence, you did. 309 00:11:58,533 --> 00:12:01,367 And if you wanna dispute this, do it. 310 00:12:01,433 --> 00:12:03,667 You can't tell me I tried to call him and he didn't call you back. 311 00:12:03,734 --> 00:12:04,767 - That's ridiculous. - [Andree] Your Honor. 312 00:12:04,834 --> 00:12:06,266 We're done here Mr. Mock. 313 00:12:06,333 --> 00:12:07,166 - It's a ridiculous - [Kevin] Court is adjourned. 314 00:12:07,233 --> 00:12:08,700 - [Andree] It was - [Judge Judy] It's--you are taking 315 00:12:08,767 --> 00:12:11,000 - a ridiculous position. - [Andree] It was $240 at first... 316 00:12:11,066 --> 00:12:12,667 We're--we're finished. 317 00:12:12,734 --> 00:12:14,667 - [Kevin] Court is adjourned. - Outside. 318 00:12:17,300 --> 00:12:18,500 With the one we got over the phone, 319 00:12:18,567 --> 00:12:19,600 the person didn't understand 320 00:12:19,667 --> 00:12:21,066 what part we were talking about. 321 00:12:21,133 --> 00:12:25,033 It--it went from $20 to $240, to $250. 322 00:12:25,100 --> 00:12:27,867 And so then they gave the-- the cost for just the part, 323 00:12:27,934 --> 00:12:31,166 the final estimate was for the parts and labor, everything. 324 00:12:31,233 --> 00:12:34,300 It's like a, uh, a $500 difference between the two estimates. So... 325 00:12:34,367 --> 00:12:36,000 And we wouldn't have had to go that far 326 00:12:36,066 --> 00:12:38,000 if I didn't have to take him to court and get that evidence. 327 00:12:38,066 --> 00:12:39,734 This is the first time I've ever seen those pictures. 328 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:42,600 So, if that would've been the, uh, the case back then... 329 00:12:42,667 --> 00:12:45,433 It really was his. I mean, we took the picture, 330 00:12:45,500 --> 00:12:48,066 you can see him in the car when we took the picture. 331 00:12:48,133 --> 00:12:49,600 I definitely would've took the responsibility 332 00:12:49,667 --> 00:12:51,500 and accepted the fact that I was--that-- 333 00:12:51,567 --> 00:12:53,800 that--that my magnet did that damage. 334 00:12:53,867 --> 00:12:57,500 And we were not trying to inflate the cost or anything like that. 335 00:12:57,567 --> 00:13:00,233 It was just an honest thing of going back to the dealership 336 00:13:00,300 --> 00:13:01,600 and getting that complete estimate. 337 00:13:02,633 --> 00:13:05,900 [Sarah] So that case reminded me of a lesson I learned from my father, 338 00:13:05,967 --> 00:13:09,233 which was, "If it's more your fault than my fault, 339 00:13:09,300 --> 00:13:11,500 just take ownership, take responsibility," 340 00:13:11,567 --> 00:13:14,867 and that came after I got into an accident on the highway 341 00:13:14,934 --> 00:13:16,400 where someone hit my car 342 00:13:16,467 --> 00:13:18,066 and I came home and said to dad, 343 00:13:18,133 --> 00:13:19,700 "Dad, it wasn't my fault. It wasn't my fault." 344 00:13:19,767 --> 00:13:21,300 And he said, "Hold on, hold on. 345 00:13:21,367 --> 00:13:22,967 Is it more your fault than my fault? 346 00:13:23,033 --> 00:13:24,467 Because I was at home watching a movie. 347 00:13:24,533 --> 00:13:28,233 So, would you say that I have to deal with this or you have to deal with this?" 348 00:13:28,300 --> 00:13:29,667 And I said, "You know what? You're right." 349 00:13:29,734 --> 00:13:33,266 And I think this is a good case of that, is even if it's not your fault. 350 00:13:33,333 --> 00:13:34,500 - Intention. - [Sarah] It's not your intention... 351 00:13:34,567 --> 00:13:35,567 It's not your intention. 352 00:13:35,633 --> 00:13:36,500 [Sarah] ...you still need to take responsibility. 353 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:38,033 [Judge Judy] Listen [indistinct) it 354 00:13:38,100 --> 00:13:40,133 may not be your intention, 355 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:42,400 but the damage was your fault. 356 00:13:42,467 --> 00:13:45,667 You chose to put on these magnets instead of decals 357 00:13:45,734 --> 00:13:46,900 but they can be dangerous 358 00:13:46,967 --> 00:13:49,467 and if they damage somebody else's property, 359 00:13:49,533 --> 00:13:52,000 like here, there's no question of liability. 360 00:13:52,066 --> 00:13:53,633 - [Sarah] Yeah. - The question was damages 361 00:13:53,700 --> 00:13:54,567 and it's a brand new car, 362 00:13:54,633 --> 00:13:56,867 they're entitled to have a brand new mirror. 363 00:13:56,934 --> 00:13:57,967 - I agree. - [Judge Judy] That's it. 364 00:13:58,033 --> 00:13:59,333 Your father's right. 365 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:02,734 Case number 1147, Sanchez versus Sharif. 366 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:04,433 All parties, please step forward. 367 00:14:04,500 --> 00:14:06,033 [announcer] Veronica Sanchez 368 00:14:06,100 --> 00:14:09,166 is suing tax preparer Darlene Sharif 369 00:14:09,233 --> 00:14:11,567 for the cost of legal document services 370 00:14:11,633 --> 00:14:13,000 and the loss of revenue. 371 00:14:14,266 --> 00:14:17,333 Ms. Sanchez, what kind of business were you starting? 372 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:20,700 I was purchasing a chiropractic and acupuncture business. 373 00:14:20,767 --> 00:14:24,133 Were you purchasing it from someone who had an existing practice? 374 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:27,233 [Veronica] Correct. The existing practice was a chiropractor 375 00:14:27,300 --> 00:14:29,467 and I am an acupuncturist, 376 00:14:29,533 --> 00:14:32,633 so I had to purchase it from a chiropractor. 377 00:14:32,700 --> 00:14:34,533 And was the chiropractor retiring? 378 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:36,266 Chiropractor was leaving the state. 379 00:14:36,333 --> 00:14:38,667 So in effect, you were taking over his lease. 380 00:14:38,734 --> 00:14:41,500 [Veronica] No, because since I'm an acupuncturist, 381 00:14:41,567 --> 00:14:44,500 and they're a chiro, I did not purchase the business. 382 00:14:44,567 --> 00:14:48,333 I was purchasing the goodwill so I started a brand new lease. 383 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:49,800 What was the name of her-- the business? 384 00:14:49,867 --> 00:14:52,500 [Veronica] Her business was called Inner Movement Wellness, 385 00:14:52,567 --> 00:14:54,567 a Chiropractic Corporation. 386 00:14:54,633 --> 00:14:57,667 How much did you pay her for the name Inner Movement Wellness? 387 00:14:57,734 --> 00:15:00,800 [Veronica] I paid $220,000. 388 00:15:00,867 --> 00:15:03,200 And you signed a new lease with the landlord? 389 00:15:03,266 --> 00:15:05,633 - Correct. I--I have the lease, yes. - [Judge Judy] Just a second. 390 00:15:05,700 --> 00:15:08,400 But now instead of Inner Movement Wellness, a Chiropractic, 391 00:15:08,467 --> 00:15:10,767 it's Inner Movement Wellness and Acupuncture, 392 00:15:10,834 --> 00:15:12,333 A Professional Corporation. 393 00:15:12,400 --> 00:15:14,767 Were you represented by an attorney 394 00:15:14,834 --> 00:15:17,133 in this $220,000... 395 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:18,767 - Yes. - ...negotiation? 396 00:15:18,834 --> 00:15:19,667 Yes. 397 00:15:19,734 --> 00:15:21,600 [Judge Judy] And the name of that attorney was what? 398 00:15:21,667 --> 00:15:23,233 [ ] Lee. 399 00:15:23,300 --> 00:15:24,867 [Judge Judy] How much did you pay Mr. Lee? 400 00:15:24,934 --> 00:15:27,967 We together paid him $6,000. 401 00:15:28,033 --> 00:15:28,867 [Judge Judy] When? 402 00:15:28,934 --> 00:15:30,266 [Veronica] June 7th. 403 00:15:30,333 --> 00:15:31,867 - [Judge Judy] Of this year? - Correct. 404 00:15:31,934 --> 00:15:33,467 [Judge Judy] And you signed the lease when? 405 00:15:33,533 --> 00:15:34,433 [Veronica] June 1st. 406 00:15:34,500 --> 00:15:38,900 [Judge Judy] Now, you retained the defendant to file papers for you 407 00:15:38,967 --> 00:15:41,500 so that you could start to do business 408 00:15:41,567 --> 00:15:44,100 as Inner Movement Wellness, 409 00:15:44,165 --> 00:15:47,433 only you had to change it to an acupuncture. 410 00:15:47,500 --> 00:15:48,500 Is it a corporation or an LLC? 411 00:15:48,567 --> 00:15:51,100 Um, the, the acupuncture board says it has to say, 412 00:15:51,165 --> 00:15:52,533 "a professional corporation." 413 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:55,433 [Judge Judy] Okay. And when you hired the defendant-- 414 00:15:55,500 --> 00:15:58,100 she's not a lawyer, she just prepares papers. 415 00:15:58,165 --> 00:16:01,066 [Veronica] Well, she had done my son's nonprofit. 416 00:16:01,133 --> 00:16:02,800 - And you know she was not a lawyer. - [Veronica] Correct. 417 00:16:02,867 --> 00:16:04,667 - [Judge Judy] Mr. Lee was your lawyer? - Correct. 418 00:16:04,734 --> 00:16:08,300 [Judge Judy] So, she was supposed to file to get papers for you 419 00:16:08,367 --> 00:16:10,100 so that you could start your business. 420 00:16:10,166 --> 00:16:12,233 So I can open up a bank account and start my business, yes. 421 00:16:12,300 --> 00:16:15,333 On what date did you make initial contact with her, 422 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:18,567 - with regard - On or about, um, May 3rd or 4th 423 00:16:18,633 --> 00:16:21,233 but I went into her office on May 7th and... 424 00:16:21,300 --> 00:16:23,333 [Judge Judy] Okay. This is what your case is about. 425 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:24,433 We're gonna go step-by-step. 426 00:16:24,500 --> 00:16:26,200 Went into your office on May 7th, 427 00:16:26,266 --> 00:16:28,433 you signed the lease on June 1st. 428 00:16:28,500 --> 00:16:30,066 - [Darlene] Correct. - [Judge Judy] You say the paperwork, 429 00:16:30,133 --> 00:16:31,433 because of her negligence, 430 00:16:31,500 --> 00:16:33,100 was delayed several months 431 00:16:33,165 --> 00:16:35,433 so that you paid rent for June and July. 432 00:16:35,500 --> 00:16:37,300 Did you ever get the paperwork from the state? 433 00:16:37,367 --> 00:16:38,934 - [Veronica] Yes, I did. - On what date? 434 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:40,533 [Veronica] June 30th, 435 00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:43,133 I received a workable S corp, 436 00:16:43,200 --> 00:16:45,533 but to this date, I don't have a DBA, to this date. 437 00:16:45,600 --> 00:16:46,467 [Judge Judy] Just a second. 438 00:16:46,533 --> 00:16:50,233 So, her work got you the paperwork 439 00:16:50,300 --> 00:16:52,800 that you needed to work by June 30th. 440 00:16:52,867 --> 00:16:55,567 [Veronica] But she had promised to expedite it. 441 00:16:55,633 --> 00:16:57,266 She didn't promise to expedite it. Madam, it's COVID. 442 00:16:57,333 --> 00:16:59,967 Nobody is working. You can't even get a license plate. 443 00:17:00,100 --> 00:17:05,400 So, what you're suing for is the return of what you paid her, right? 444 00:17:05,467 --> 00:17:07,300 Despite the fact that you got your paperwork. 445 00:17:07,367 --> 00:17:09,900 - [Veronica] Uh-hmm. - [Judge Judy] And for your potential 446 00:17:09,967 --> 00:17:11,867 lost income for a month. 447 00:17:11,934 --> 00:17:14,266 [Veronica] Actually, I'm only asking for just three days, 448 00:17:14,333 --> 00:17:17,000 not the whole, uh, month of June. 449 00:17:17,066 --> 00:17:18,266 She's not paying you for that. 450 00:17:18,333 --> 00:17:20,266 - [Veronica] Okay. - Just understand this. 451 00:17:20,333 --> 00:17:24,633 She's not paying you for your potential lost income. 452 00:17:24,700 --> 00:17:27,567 [Veronica] Uh-hmm. Well, I paid three times the normal going rate. 453 00:17:27,633 --> 00:17:29,867 My accountant was gonna do it for 800... 454 00:17:29,934 --> 00:17:32,500 [Judge Judy] Listen, you can't tell me what your accountant's gonna do it for. 455 00:17:32,567 --> 00:17:34,400 - [Veronica] Well, no, it's a going rate. - You can't--just a second. 456 00:17:34,467 --> 00:17:36,133 And you can't tell me what the going rate is, 457 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:37,633 - we don't have experts here. - [Veronica] Well I--I Googled it. 458 00:17:37,700 --> 00:17:39,934 [Judge Judy] What I'm-- I don't care what you Googled. 459 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:41,266 What I'm telling you is, 460 00:17:41,333 --> 00:17:44,600 if you can establish some sort of negligence on her part 461 00:17:44,667 --> 00:17:47,200 and it has to be a serious negligence, 462 00:17:47,266 --> 00:17:50,166 most you can get is some sort of a refund from her. 463 00:17:50,233 --> 00:17:53,000 - [Veronica] Well I tried to - If she--don't, don't speak. 464 00:17:53,066 --> 00:17:54,233 Just listen. 465 00:17:54,300 --> 00:17:57,467 Because she got you what you asked for. 466 00:17:57,533 --> 00:18:00,066 - [Veronica] Uh-hmm. - She got you the ability 467 00:18:00,133 --> 00:18:01,867 to work in a business 468 00:18:01,934 --> 00:18:05,066 in a relatively short period of time. 469 00:18:05,133 --> 00:18:07,400 Now, the only thing that I want you to show me 470 00:18:07,467 --> 00:18:10,600 is you filled out paperwork on May 7th. 471 00:18:10,667 --> 00:18:12,000 - [Veronica] Uh-hmm. - [Judge Judy] I would like to see 472 00:18:12,066 --> 00:18:15,000 the paperwork that you filled out with her in the office 473 00:18:15,066 --> 00:18:18,066 because you say that, because of her negligence, 474 00:18:18,133 --> 00:18:19,867 - that paperwork came back once. - [Veronica] Uh-hmm. 475 00:18:19,934 --> 00:18:20,800 - It came back three times. - Okay. 476 00:18:20,867 --> 00:18:22,333 Well, it came back three times. 477 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:25,133 So let me see what you filled out the first time. 478 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:26,233 - Uh-hmm. - [Judge Judy] No, no, 479 00:18:26,300 --> 00:18:27,533 don't give me three letters. 480 00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:30,233 I wanna see what you filled out with her. 481 00:18:30,300 --> 00:18:31,633 May I see that, please? 482 00:18:42,133 --> 00:18:45,567 So you went to her office and you told her 483 00:18:45,633 --> 00:18:49,700 that the name of your business was Inner Movement Wellness, 484 00:18:49,767 --> 00:18:51,400 A Professional Corporation? 485 00:18:51,467 --> 00:18:52,400 - That's what - Okay. 486 00:18:52,467 --> 00:18:55,400 I told her I needed an expert to help me because it was very... 487 00:18:55,467 --> 00:18:56,600 [Judge Judy] No. No, no, no, no, no, no, 488 00:18:56,667 --> 00:18:58,934 no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. 489 00:19:01,266 --> 00:19:02,867 It went directly to Ms. Sanchez? 490 00:19:02,934 --> 00:19:05,133 - [Darlene] Yes, it did. And she - [Judge Judy] Well, can I see it? 491 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:06,266 Does somebody have it? 492 00:19:06,333 --> 00:19:09,033 I do have this but since she was going through 493 00:19:09,100 --> 00:19:11,266 a third party, LegalZoom, which I could've done myself. 494 00:19:11,333 --> 00:19:14,066 [Judge Judy] Listen, you have to understand something. 495 00:19:14,133 --> 00:19:15,000 I don't care. 496 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:29,467 [announcer] Veronica Sanchez claims tax preparer 497 00:19:29,533 --> 00:19:33,500 Darlene Sharif owes for the cost of legal document services 498 00:19:33,567 --> 00:19:35,767 after making several mistakes. 499 00:19:35,834 --> 00:19:37,567 [Judge Judy] Now, you have to understand, 500 00:19:37,633 --> 00:19:39,233 - this is what it's all about. - [Veronica] Uh-hmm. 501 00:19:39,300 --> 00:19:42,000 [Judge Judy] You tell her what the name of your business is. 502 00:19:42,066 --> 00:19:43,000 - This is a business - But if she's a... 503 00:19:43,066 --> 00:19:45,533 but if she's an expert and is supposed to be able to help somebody 504 00:19:45,600 --> 00:19:47,667 who doesn't know anything about this, 505 00:19:47,734 --> 00:19:49,467 she's also supposed to guide me 506 00:19:49,533 --> 00:19:51,033 - and she didn't guide me correctly. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 507 00:19:51,100 --> 00:19:55,367 So, Ms. Sanchez, you told her that the name of your business-- 508 00:19:55,433 --> 00:19:59,033 - because you bought for $220,000. - [Veronica] Uh-hmm. 509 00:19:59,100 --> 00:20:00,800 [Judge Judy] Inner Movement Wellness. 510 00:20:00,867 --> 00:20:03,033 - Uh-hmm. - [Judge Judy] A Professional Corporation. 511 00:20:03,100 --> 00:20:04,667 - And I also . - [Judge Judy] Just a second. 512 00:20:04,734 --> 00:20:07,967 Actually, what I find fascinating is 513 00:20:08,033 --> 00:20:11,367 you bought the goodwill of a chiropractor 514 00:20:11,433 --> 00:20:13,600 - who had been in the same location. - Uh-hmm. 515 00:20:13,667 --> 00:20:15,667 And you bought that goodwill 516 00:20:15,734 --> 00:20:18,567 and the chiropractor did not have an acupuncturist there. 517 00:20:18,633 --> 00:20:20,233 There is an acupuncturist there. 518 00:20:20,300 --> 00:20:22,233 Did that acupuncturist come with you? 519 00:20:22,300 --> 00:20:24,767 The acupuncturist continues to work there, yes. 520 00:20:24,834 --> 00:20:26,200 - With you? - Yes. 521 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:27,834 [Judge Judy] How many people work there? 522 00:20:27,900 --> 00:20:29,834 I have 11 employees. 523 00:20:29,900 --> 00:20:31,533 [Judge Judy] How many did you bring with you? 524 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:33,066 - [Veronica] None. - [Judge Judy] They were all there? 525 00:20:33,133 --> 00:20:34,000 Yes. 526 00:20:34,800 --> 00:20:36,066 Oh, now, I got it. 527 00:20:36,133 --> 00:20:39,500 So, Ms. Sharif, did you get anything back from the state 528 00:20:39,567 --> 00:20:41,100 with regard to this application? 529 00:20:41,166 --> 00:20:42,767 For the fictitious business name? 530 00:20:42,834 --> 00:20:45,200 - [Judge Judy] Yes. - No, it goes directly to my client. 531 00:20:45,266 --> 00:20:46,934 [Judge Judy] It went directly to Ms. Sanchez? 532 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:47,934 [Darlene] Yes, it did. 533 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:49,467 - [Veronica] And she - Well, can I see it? 534 00:20:49,533 --> 00:20:50,700 Does somebody have it? 535 00:20:50,767 --> 00:20:52,033 Did they not accept it? 536 00:20:52,100 --> 00:20:54,100 What is the current name of the company? 537 00:20:54,166 --> 00:20:56,600 To answer your question to the best of my ability, 538 00:20:56,667 --> 00:20:59,800 on June 30th, I did get the S corp 539 00:20:59,867 --> 00:21:02,200 and I do have 540 00:21:02,266 --> 00:21:04,834 this but since she was going through a third party, LegalZoom, 541 00:21:04,900 --> 00:21:06,900 - which I could've done myself. - [Judge Judy] Listen, listen, uh, 542 00:21:06,967 --> 00:21:08,533 you have to understand something. 543 00:21:08,600 --> 00:21:09,800 - I don't care. - [Veronica] Okay. 544 00:21:09,867 --> 00:21:12,266 If what she went through was LegalZoom 545 00:21:12,333 --> 00:21:14,500 or any other app 546 00:21:14,567 --> 00:21:16,533 that gives lay people an opportunity 547 00:21:16,600 --> 00:21:18,200 to fill out paperwork 548 00:21:18,266 --> 00:21:20,400 and if she decides to be an intermediary 549 00:21:20,467 --> 00:21:22,800 between you and LegalZoom 550 00:21:22,867 --> 00:21:24,367 or you and somebody else, 551 00:21:24,433 --> 00:21:25,367 that's her business. 552 00:21:25,433 --> 00:21:27,734 And if after it's all over, you say, 553 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:30,667 "Well, I could have filled out the same paperwork so I want my money back." 554 00:21:30,734 --> 00:21:32,300 - That doesn't happen. (laughs) - No. That was 555 00:21:32,367 --> 00:21:33,567 - [Judge Judy] That doesn't happen. - That's not why I want my money back. 556 00:21:33,633 --> 00:21:35,000 [Judge Judy] I don't know what you want. 557 00:21:35,066 --> 00:21:36,767 You filled out these papers 558 00:21:36,834 --> 00:21:39,400 and you have to show me where she did something wrong. 559 00:21:39,467 --> 00:21:44,133 Seems to me somebody who's paying $220,000 560 00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:47,000 for a practice keeps the same lawyer, 561 00:21:47,100 --> 00:21:48,133 if they want a lawyer. 562 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:49,867 If you wanna do it on the cheap, 563 00:21:49,934 --> 00:21:50,867 you do it on the cheap. 564 00:21:50,934 --> 00:21:52,667 How much did she charge you for this? 565 00:21:52,734 --> 00:21:53,767 She charged well above and beyond 566 00:21:53,834 --> 00:21:56,233 [Judge Judy] No, don't chatter. 567 00:21:56,300 --> 00:21:57,633 Twenty-six hundred dollars. 568 00:21:57,700 --> 00:21:58,567 [Judge Judy] Okay. 569 00:21:58,633 --> 00:22:01,133 So she charged you almost half of that 570 00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:03,633 to get you the paperwork 571 00:22:03,700 --> 00:22:05,433 to operate as a business 572 00:22:05,500 --> 00:22:08,233 that sounds penny-wise and pound-foolish to me. 573 00:22:08,300 --> 00:22:11,633 The reason I'm short with you is you got what you paid for. 574 00:22:11,700 --> 00:22:15,166 You got the paperwork and if my feeling is correct, 575 00:22:15,233 --> 00:22:16,233 it may not be, 576 00:22:16,300 --> 00:22:18,934 you're annoyed because you could've done the same thing through LegalZoom. 577 00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:19,934 That's not why... 578 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:21,166 Now I'm gonna see. 579 00:22:21,233 --> 00:22:23,200 That's not why-- it's because she promised 580 00:22:23,266 --> 00:22:25,800 expedited service and it took months. 581 00:22:25,867 --> 00:22:27,633 You, you--no, it didn't take months 582 00:22:27,700 --> 00:22:30,800 because once you fill it out and file it, 583 00:22:30,867 --> 00:22:32,300 somebody's gotta look at it. 584 00:22:32,367 --> 00:22:34,266 Now let me see the first letter. 585 00:22:34,333 --> 00:22:36,033 No, don't give me three pieces of paper. 586 00:22:36,100 --> 00:22:36,967 [Veronica] [indistinct] 587 00:22:37,033 --> 00:22:38,967 [Judge Judy] Give me the first letter that you got from them, 588 00:22:39,033 --> 00:22:40,800 which is what she said you got 589 00:22:40,867 --> 00:22:42,400 and initially you said you did not. 590 00:22:45,467 --> 00:22:47,500 Okay. So, you have to understand, 591 00:22:47,567 --> 00:22:49,834 this came to you on June 1st, 592 00:22:49,900 --> 00:22:53,300 which means it took somebody in Los Angeles County-- 593 00:22:53,367 --> 00:22:55,200 'cause this was sent in right away. 594 00:22:55,266 --> 00:22:57,166 - Right. - [Judge Judy] It took them... 595 00:22:57,233 --> 00:22:58,600 - Uh-hmm. - ...almost a month... 596 00:22:58,667 --> 00:23:00,500 - Uh-hmm. - ...to read it and respond to you. 597 00:23:00,567 --> 00:23:01,834 - June 1st. - [Judge Judy] And that's--just a second. 598 00:23:01,900 --> 00:23:03,867 Just a second. That's not her fault. 599 00:23:03,934 --> 00:23:06,066 - No, I agree. - [Judge Judy] No, no, no. Great. 600 00:23:06,133 --> 00:23:07,900 [Veronica] But had she done it right? Had that been right, 601 00:23:07,967 --> 00:23:09,467 I could've started then right there. 602 00:23:09,533 --> 00:23:10,533 [Judge Judy] Shoulda, woulda, coulda. 603 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:12,500 - [Veronica] Uh-hmm. - If my parents had been taller, 604 00:23:12,567 --> 00:23:14,700 I may have been taller than five feet tall, 605 00:23:14,767 --> 00:23:15,734 - that's a possibility. - [Veronica] And she [indistinct] 606 00:23:15,800 --> 00:23:17,600 [Judge Judy] My brother is five foot nine. 607 00:23:17,667 --> 00:23:20,233 I could've been five foot nine and he could've been five foot tall. 608 00:23:20,300 --> 00:23:21,567 That's a shoulda, woulda, coulda. 609 00:23:21,633 --> 00:23:24,600 [Veronica] But also to promise expedited service when somebody's, like, 610 00:23:24,667 --> 00:23:27,800 struggling to purchase a business and keep things going, you know. 611 00:23:27,867 --> 00:23:31,433 Ms. Sanchez, you have absolutely no case. 612 00:23:31,500 --> 00:23:34,033 You were up and running for business on June 30th, 613 00:23:34,100 --> 00:23:35,667 according to you, is that correct? 614 00:23:35,734 --> 00:23:36,600 Yes. 615 00:23:36,667 --> 00:23:39,800 Now, the thing that you don't have is a DBA, 616 00:23:40,100 --> 00:23:42,166 which you have not received yet. 617 00:23:42,233 --> 00:23:46,133 Well, so far you have something pending with the Department of State, 618 00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:47,033 - I assume - Yes. 619 00:23:47,100 --> 00:23:48,166 [Judge Judy] ...and that's doing business as. 620 00:23:48,233 --> 00:23:49,066 - [Veronica] Yes. - [Judge Judy] Listen, 621 00:23:49,133 --> 00:23:50,266 I'm gonna tell you this. 622 00:23:50,333 --> 00:23:52,033 If you hire somebody else, 623 00:23:52,100 --> 00:23:54,266 and they're able to, during this time, 624 00:23:54,333 --> 00:23:57,367 when people are not in state offices, 625 00:23:57,433 --> 00:24:00,400 if you hire somebody else to get your DBA 626 00:24:00,467 --> 00:24:01,500 and pay them, 627 00:24:01,567 --> 00:24:04,400 you're free to come back to me and say, 628 00:24:04,467 --> 00:24:06,400 "She was supposed to get me the DBA." 629 00:24:06,467 --> 00:24:07,667 - Uh-hmm. - [Judge Judy] And she didn't, 630 00:24:07,734 --> 00:24:09,333 - for whatever reason - [Veronica] Uh-hmm. 631 00:24:09,400 --> 00:24:12,166 [Judge Judy] ...I had to hire somebody else and pay them. 632 00:24:12,233 --> 00:24:13,500 Then I'll talk to you. 633 00:24:13,567 --> 00:24:15,633 - [Veronica] Okay. - Right now she has paid... 634 00:24:15,700 --> 00:24:17,166 - Okay. - [Judge Judy] ...to get you up 635 00:24:17,233 --> 00:24:19,000 - and running in your business. - [Veronica] Uh-hmm. 636 00:24:19,066 --> 00:24:22,433 [Judge Judy] You have 11 employees who have been working for you 637 00:24:22,500 --> 00:24:24,066 for almost four months 638 00:24:24,133 --> 00:24:26,133 as a result of this work that she did. 639 00:24:26,200 --> 00:24:28,166 - Exactly. - [Judge Judy] She got you 640 00:24:28,233 --> 00:24:29,100 what you needed to conduct your business. 641 00:24:29,166 --> 00:24:31,400 [Veronica] But not timely. But it wasn't timely. 642 00:24:31,467 --> 00:24:32,867 - [Judge Judy] Goodbye, we're done. - And it wasn't complete. 643 00:24:32,934 --> 00:24:34,133 [Kevin] Court is adjourned. 644 00:24:36,333 --> 00:24:38,800 Just unfortunate during these COVID times, 645 00:24:38,867 --> 00:24:41,266 when mom and pops are trying to do their best. 646 00:24:41,333 --> 00:24:44,367 I tell you, I really, really worked hard on her case. 647 00:24:44,433 --> 00:24:46,700 That we still have people that wanna take advantage 648 00:24:46,767 --> 00:24:48,734 and charge high prices. 649 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:52,567 But she's just-- was very persistent and... 650 00:24:52,633 --> 00:24:55,367 And, uh, overcharge and under-deliver. 651 00:24:55,433 --> 00:24:57,266 I'm sorry that she's unhappy. 652 00:24:57,333 --> 00:24:59,433 And, um, waste people's time. 653 00:24:59,500 --> 00:25:01,967 Judy Justice, she did me well. 654 00:25:03,667 --> 00:25:06,500 [Judge Judy] You know, I actually came away with two things. 655 00:25:06,567 --> 00:25:08,867 I think that the plaintiff was unreasonable. 656 00:25:08,934 --> 00:25:10,367 The process was completed, 657 00:25:10,433 --> 00:25:14,033 enabling her to work in less than 60 days. 658 00:25:14,100 --> 00:25:17,100 That would be a reasonable period of time, 659 00:25:17,166 --> 00:25:18,900 - even if it wasn't for COVID. - Uh-hmm. 660 00:25:18,967 --> 00:25:21,500 [Judge Judy] The defendant enabled her through her work, 661 00:25:21,567 --> 00:25:22,667 nobody else's work, 662 00:25:22,734 --> 00:25:24,100 to hire and employ, 663 00:25:24,166 --> 00:25:27,667 and make a living within seven weeks of their meeting. 664 00:25:27,734 --> 00:25:29,467 [Sarah] Yeah. Almost impressive during COVID 665 00:25:29,533 --> 00:25:31,100 - that it got done in that [indistinct] - [Judge Judy] Almost impressive. 666 00:25:31,166 --> 00:25:32,867 So she's being unreasonable 667 00:25:32,934 --> 00:25:34,900 and I honestly believe 668 00:25:34,967 --> 00:25:39,533 that her issue was that she could have done the same thing 669 00:25:39,600 --> 00:25:41,600 and filled out the same forms 670 00:25:41,667 --> 00:25:45,533 as the defendant did for probably $200, 671 00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:48,433 and the defendant charged her either $2400 or $2600. 672 00:25:48,500 --> 00:25:49,567 [Sarah] Yes [indistinct] 673 00:25:49,633 --> 00:25:53,567 [Judge Judy] So, she felt as if she was being scammed 674 00:25:53,633 --> 00:25:55,567 because she could've done it herself. 675 00:25:55,633 --> 00:25:56,834 - Well, that's on you. - [Sarah] Yeah. 676 00:25:56,900 --> 00:25:59,233 That's something you wanna look into before you... 677 00:25:59,300 --> 00:26:00,333 - Engage. - [Sarah] ...before you--into-- 678 00:26:00,400 --> 00:26:01,266 before you engage with someone for their services. 679 00:26:01,333 --> 00:26:02,834 [Judge Judy] Engage somebody. Right. 680 00:26:02,900 --> 00:26:04,066 And she knew she wasn't a lawyer 681 00:26:04,133 --> 00:26:05,734 because according to her, 682 00:26:05,800 --> 00:26:07,800 - she had done work for the family before. - [Sarah] Uh-hmm. 683 00:26:07,867 --> 00:26:09,600 [Judge Judy] I was unsympathetic. 684 00:26:09,667 --> 00:26:10,967 I could tell. (chuckles) 685 00:26:13,266 --> 00:26:15,100 [announcer] Are you a victim of a scam? 686 00:26:15,166 --> 00:26:17,533 Go to JudyJustice.tv. 687 00:26:21,700 --> 00:26:23,400 [theme music playing]