1 00:00:06,100 --> 00:00:09,300 That same faucet that was broken had been turned on full blast, 2 00:00:09,367 --> 00:00:10,600 flooded my backyard. 3 00:00:10,667 --> 00:00:12,834 So you've been to his home. 4 00:00:12,900 --> 00:00:15,567 How many times, and used his faucet? 5 00:00:15,633 --> 00:00:17,734 Maybe like 15 or 20. 6 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:19,467 Fifteen or 20 times? 7 00:00:19,533 --> 00:00:21,667 Suddenly, I started hearing banging. 8 00:00:21,734 --> 00:00:23,700 And I see the faucet snapped. 9 00:00:23,767 --> 00:00:26,266 Each one of you took a shot at it. 10 00:00:26,333 --> 00:00:28,033 I'm not gonna let them get away with it this time. 11 00:00:28,500 --> 00:00:31,066 [announcer] Now on Tribunal Justice. 12 00:00:31,133 --> 00:00:34,500 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays] 13 00:00:52,700 --> 00:00:55,967 [announcer] Today's case was filed in Plano, Texas. 14 00:00:56,033 --> 00:01:00,633 [Cassandra] Your Honor, this is case number 2010, Soares versus Bolton. 15 00:01:00,700 --> 00:01:02,500 All parties have been sworn in. 16 00:01:02,567 --> 00:01:03,600 Thank you, Cassandra. 17 00:01:03,667 --> 00:01:04,700 You may be seated. 18 00:01:05,233 --> 00:01:07,500 - All right. Mr. Soares. - Yes. 19 00:01:07,567 --> 00:01:10,133 [Judge Levy] The defendant's two grandsons 20 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:15,166 and a friend of theirs broke your outdoor water spigot at your house, is that right? 21 00:01:15,233 --> 00:01:16,300 That's correct, Your Honor. 22 00:01:16,367 --> 00:01:20,500 You got an estimate to repair it. It was $536. 23 00:01:20,567 --> 00:01:24,533 The defendant paid $200 restitution 24 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:27,367 and a hundred dollars came from the other boy's family, 25 00:01:27,433 --> 00:01:28,767 totaling $300. 26 00:01:28,834 --> 00:01:32,000 And you are suing the defendant here for the remaining balance, 27 00:01:32,066 --> 00:01:33,567 $236, is that right? 28 00:01:33,633 --> 00:01:35,100 - That's correct, Your Honor. - [Judge Levy] All right. 29 00:01:35,166 --> 00:01:36,166 - Mr. Bolton. - [Bolton] Yes. 30 00:01:36,233 --> 00:01:37,333 [Judge Levy] According to your answer, 31 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:40,500 you say that you gave the plaintiff what you thought 32 00:01:40,567 --> 00:01:42,633 it was worth to fix the spigot. 33 00:01:42,700 --> 00:01:45,800 He paid too much and you don't owe him another dime? 34 00:01:45,866 --> 00:01:46,900 - Correct. - [Judge Levy] All right. 35 00:01:46,967 --> 00:01:48,200 Mr. Soares, tell us. 36 00:01:48,265 --> 00:01:49,600 This incident happened when? 37 00:01:49,667 --> 00:01:53,934 It happened, uh, July 10th, 2023. 38 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:56,533 Explain to me how this all transpired. 39 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:59,700 Uh, so I was working from home on my second floor 40 00:01:59,767 --> 00:02:03,700 when suddenly I started hearing banging just coming through all the way 41 00:02:03,767 --> 00:02:04,767 to the second floor. 42 00:02:04,834 --> 00:02:07,533 For a whole solid minute, I'm like, "What is going on?" 43 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:10,567 You know, it's shaking the walls. 44 00:02:10,633 --> 00:02:16,266 So I rush downstairs and head outside, and I see the faucet snapped, metal torn. 45 00:02:16,333 --> 00:02:19,433 It's thankfully not leaking any water but it's broken. 46 00:02:19,500 --> 00:02:22,667 And I look and I see a couple kids just walking away. 47 00:02:22,734 --> 00:02:24,800 [Judge Levy] And how many of them were there at the time? 48 00:02:24,867 --> 00:02:25,867 [Soares] Uh, there were three boys. 49 00:02:25,934 --> 00:02:27,367 - You know, I… - What'd you do? 50 00:02:27,433 --> 00:02:30,233 You know, I was just--for the first time, in just a state of shock. 51 00:02:30,300 --> 00:02:35,000 I was like, "This happened?" you know, "In this neighborhood?" you know? Crazy. 52 00:02:35,066 --> 00:02:37,834 But I called the police and I'd let them know, I was like, 53 00:02:37,900 --> 00:02:39,066 you know, "There's damage, 54 00:02:39,133 --> 00:02:43,100 can I have the detectives come down here, get a record--a case going?" 55 00:02:43,166 --> 00:02:47,500 Police came down, took pictures, took, uh, took the videos I had. 56 00:02:47,567 --> 00:02:49,367 [Judge Levy] And you saw them two days later? 57 00:02:49,433 --> 00:02:52,966 You were able to identify the same boys who you had seen on July 10th? 58 00:02:53,033 --> 00:02:56,500 That's correct. I had videos on the front and back of my house, 59 00:02:56,567 --> 00:02:58,066 so I could see them walking up. 60 00:02:58,133 --> 00:03:00,433 And that's when I--that's when I saw them and I called the police again 61 00:03:00,500 --> 00:03:02,533 to let them know, "Hey, those kids are back. 62 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:04,033 Can we get a detective out here?" 63 00:03:04,100 --> 00:03:06,033 Why did you have videos on the back of your house? 64 00:03:06,100 --> 00:03:09,033 Had something in the past that caused you some concern? 65 00:03:09,100 --> 00:03:14,000 Yes. So, in the two incidents prior to this, uh, my faucet, 66 00:03:14,066 --> 00:03:18,133 that same faucet that was broken, had been turned on full blast for hours, 67 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:20,433 flooded my backyard, front yard. 68 00:03:20,500 --> 00:03:22,567 But after that happened, I put a lock on the faucet, 69 00:03:22,633 --> 00:03:23,734 I'm not gonna let this happen again. 70 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:24,800 [Judge Levy] That's smart. 71 00:03:24,867 --> 00:03:27,900 And on July 12th, when you saw the boys, 72 00:03:27,966 --> 00:03:29,734 - what happened? - [Soares] I called the police, 73 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:31,466 I'm not gonna let them get away with it this time. 74 00:03:31,533 --> 00:03:32,966 You know, once was enough. 75 00:03:33,033 --> 00:03:34,033 So I followed them. 76 00:03:34,100 --> 00:03:38,100 Um, and then when I was following them, the detective came by, saw me, 77 00:03:38,166 --> 00:03:39,700 I let them know the boys were that way. 78 00:03:39,767 --> 00:03:43,333 Uh, he was able to catch up with them, and he was able to get, uh, Mr. Bolton 79 00:03:43,900 --> 00:03:46,567 and the kids to come to my house, 80 00:03:46,633 --> 00:03:50,966 you know, confess that they committed the crime, and that we would handle it. 81 00:03:51,033 --> 00:03:54,567 Tell me about the discussion, if any, that you had with the defendant at that time. 82 00:03:54,633 --> 00:03:56,900 I let him know that, uh-- we discussed the damages. 83 00:03:56,966 --> 00:04:00,100 I let him know I had a plumber coming out to do work on the inside of my house. 84 00:04:00,166 --> 00:04:02,767 You just happened to have already a plumber scheduled? 85 00:04:02,834 --> 00:04:04,066 - [Soares] Yes. - Go on. 86 00:04:04,133 --> 00:04:06,633 So I let him know I had the plumber coming, um, 87 00:04:06,700 --> 00:04:08,767 and that we can fix the outside pipe. 88 00:04:08,834 --> 00:04:11,834 And what, if anything, did the defendant tell you in response? 89 00:04:11,900 --> 00:04:14,033 He said that he would agree to pay for the damages. 90 00:04:14,100 --> 00:04:15,767 [Judge Levy] Okay. What happened after that? 91 00:04:15,834 --> 00:04:17,966 I had the plumber come out, they did the repairs, 92 00:04:18,033 --> 00:04:20,166 and I let Mr. Bolton know in a text message, 93 00:04:20,233 --> 00:04:23,332 "This is the invoice for the damages. 94 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:28,166 It's for $536, and I'm expecting payment for it." 95 00:04:28,233 --> 00:04:30,166 [Judge Levy] Did you provide him with a copy of the bill? 96 00:04:30,233 --> 00:04:31,233 [Soares] Yes, I did. 97 00:04:31,300 --> 00:04:35,000 Now on that bill, did the work that the plumber do 98 00:04:35,066 --> 00:04:40,700 at your home include a breakdown of work for the spigot repair 99 00:04:40,767 --> 00:04:44,600 and work that the plumber was coming to your home to do anyway? 100 00:04:44,667 --> 00:04:46,367 - Yes. - [Judge Levy] Can you describe the type 101 00:04:46,433 --> 00:04:50,233 of work that the plumber had to do in order to fix the spigot? 102 00:04:50,300 --> 00:04:52,700 Was it just a matter of screwing a new one on? 103 00:04:52,767 --> 00:04:53,767 [Soares] No. 104 00:04:53,834 --> 00:04:57,233 So, from speaking with the plumbers as they discussed it, 105 00:04:57,300 --> 00:05:01,700 the metal kept tearing, so it wasn't an easy just twist it, 106 00:05:01,767 --> 00:05:03,433 remove it, put one back in. 107 00:05:03,500 --> 00:05:06,133 - Mr. Soares, do you recognize that photo? - [Soares] Yes. 108 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:07,433 Uh, the back of my house. 109 00:05:07,500 --> 00:05:08,767 [Judge Levy] All right. And the spigot, 110 00:05:08,834 --> 00:05:11,500 where approximately on that photograph is that spigot? 111 00:05:11,567 --> 00:05:12,834 It's along the side. 112 00:05:12,900 --> 00:05:14,700 So it doesn't show on the back picture here. 113 00:05:14,767 --> 00:05:16,767 [Judge Levy] Okay. Do you recognize that photograph? 114 00:05:16,834 --> 00:05:19,300 [Soares] Yes, I do. That is the new faucet they installed. 115 00:05:19,367 --> 00:05:21,367 [Judge Levy] Mr. Soares, you talked about a camera… 116 00:05:21,433 --> 00:05:22,900 - Yes. - … that you would put up 117 00:05:22,967 --> 00:05:24,633 because you had some prior damage. 118 00:05:24,700 --> 00:05:25,834 - Yes. - [Judge Levy] You know what, 119 00:05:25,900 --> 00:05:27,934 let's play that video if we can, please. 120 00:05:29,633 --> 00:05:31,033 What are we looking at right now? 121 00:05:31,100 --> 00:05:32,967 [Soares] So right now, we're seeing a picture of my backyard 122 00:05:33,033 --> 00:05:37,633 and we're seeing the boys, uh, walking up through it. 123 00:05:37,700 --> 00:05:41,066 My backyard's one of the only backyards in the neighborhood 124 00:05:41,133 --> 00:05:44,066 that doesn't have a fence, so everyone traffics through it. 125 00:05:44,133 --> 00:05:46,633 So the two boys, I believe, were the--uh, 126 00:05:46,700 --> 00:05:49,433 Mr. Bolton's grandchildren along with the taller one. 127 00:05:49,500 --> 00:05:51,433 [Judge Levy] And then there was the larger boy 128 00:05:51,500 --> 00:05:53,233 who you knew to be one of their friends? 129 00:05:53,300 --> 00:05:54,433 - [Soares] Yes. - [Judge Levy] Okay. 130 00:05:54,500 --> 00:05:57,967 We're gonna put this volume on loud so everyone hears. 131 00:05:58,033 --> 00:06:00,166 [banging] 132 00:06:00,233 --> 00:06:01,967 [Soares] Yeah. So there, you can hear the banging. 133 00:06:02,033 --> 00:06:04,433 - [banging continues] - [Soares] It's not quiet. 134 00:06:04,500 --> 00:06:06,700 [Judge Levy] And you're up on the second floor of your house at the time? 135 00:06:06,767 --> 00:06:07,767 Yes. 136 00:06:07,834 --> 00:06:09,166 And this is what you're hearing, 137 00:06:09,233 --> 00:06:13,567 and you also said that you felt almost like shaking? 138 00:06:13,633 --> 00:06:18,433 Yes. You could see the walls visibly shaking from how hard they're kicking it. 139 00:06:18,500 --> 00:06:21,700 [banging] 140 00:06:24,300 --> 00:06:26,400 I mean, they're kicking it for a full solid minute. 141 00:06:26,467 --> 00:06:29,300 [Judge Levy] So there were seven distinct kicks. 142 00:06:29,367 --> 00:06:31,166 - [Soares] Yes. - Then there was a break. 143 00:06:31,233 --> 00:06:32,967 And then nine kicks. 144 00:06:33,033 --> 00:06:34,600 - That's correct, Your Honor. - [Judge Levy] And a break. 145 00:06:34,667 --> 00:06:36,600 And then ten distinct kicks. 146 00:06:36,667 --> 00:06:37,667 [Soares] Correct, Your Honor. 147 00:06:37,734 --> 00:06:39,233 - [Judge Levy] And a break. - [Soares] Yes. 148 00:06:39,300 --> 00:06:40,900 I have nothing further. Judge Acker. 149 00:06:40,967 --> 00:06:42,100 [Judge Acker] Thank you, Judge Levy. 150 00:06:42,166 --> 00:06:44,567 It looks like such a beautiful community 151 00:06:44,633 --> 00:06:48,567 except for these little rascals running around, wreaking havoc. 152 00:06:48,633 --> 00:06:51,467 How long have you had custody of your grandchildren? 153 00:06:51,533 --> 00:06:53,400 - About ten, 12 years. - [Judge Acker] Ten, 12 years? 154 00:06:53,467 --> 00:06:55,700 Do you mind telling us how that came about? 155 00:06:57,300 --> 00:07:00,100 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 156 00:07:00,166 --> 00:07:03,633 The plaintiff was informed by me on that day to get a quote, 157 00:07:03,700 --> 00:07:06,467 and he went and had the work done instead of supplying a quote. 158 00:07:06,533 --> 00:07:07,934 I think I paid what's fair. 159 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:09,600 [dramatic musical sting] 160 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:13,233 [theme music plays] 161 00:07:13,300 --> 00:07:17,300 [announcer] Kenneth Soares is suing neighbor Jeffery Bolton for damage done 162 00:07:17,367 --> 00:07:20,166 to an outside water spigot by Jeffery's grandsons. 163 00:07:20,233 --> 00:07:24,567 But Jeffery claims Kenneth should have used a cheaper plumber. 164 00:07:24,633 --> 00:07:27,266 How long have you had custody of your grandchildren? 165 00:07:27,332 --> 00:07:29,166 - About ten, 12 years. - [Judge Acker] Ten, 12 years? 166 00:07:29,233 --> 00:07:31,767 Do you mind telling us how that came about? 167 00:07:31,834 --> 00:07:34,900 Uh, just sometimes life throws you a curve ball, you learn how to hit it. 168 00:07:34,967 --> 00:07:38,867 We had to take--better with us than at the time with their parents. 169 00:07:38,933 --> 00:07:41,400 And I'm sure you're very protective of them. 170 00:07:41,467 --> 00:07:42,900 Absolutely. They're my princes. 171 00:07:42,967 --> 00:07:45,033 [Judge Acker] I think that's outstanding. 172 00:07:45,100 --> 00:07:47,633 But princes have responsibilities. 173 00:07:47,700 --> 00:07:48,834 - [Bolton] That they do. - Don't you agree? 174 00:07:48,900 --> 00:07:49,900 They do. 175 00:07:49,967 --> 00:07:51,133 [Judge Acker] Now, I'm interested in your defense, 176 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:53,767 because it seems to be premised on two things. 177 00:07:53,834 --> 00:07:56,300 One, you think that the repairs are inflated. 178 00:07:56,367 --> 00:07:58,300 - [Bolton] Absolutely. - And two, 179 00:07:58,367 --> 00:08:01,767 you think that your young princes aren't responsible 180 00:08:01,834 --> 00:08:05,433 for the actual breaking of the faucet, that that was caused by the third one. 181 00:08:05,500 --> 00:08:06,900 We'll call him the duke. [laughs] 182 00:08:06,967 --> 00:08:08,867 - Correct. Correct. - So the duke broke the faucet. 183 00:08:08,934 --> 00:08:13,433 Now, you did submit evidence that he could have had this repair done 184 00:08:13,500 --> 00:08:15,567 more cheaply, about $200 cheaper. 185 00:08:15,633 --> 00:08:18,233 I don't know that the $200 is unreasonable. 186 00:08:18,300 --> 00:08:22,233 Like, if there was evidence that the extra money that he's seeking was used 187 00:08:22,300 --> 00:08:23,934 for something else than these repairs, 188 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:26,433 I hear it. But do you have any evidence of that? 189 00:08:26,500 --> 00:08:28,033 Yes, ma'am, I got a quote. 190 00:08:28,100 --> 00:08:29,567 - I have the quote. - But does the quote indicate 191 00:08:29,633 --> 00:08:31,834 that the work that he had done 192 00:08:31,900 --> 00:08:36,400 includes jobs that these boys aren't responsible for? 193 00:08:36,467 --> 00:08:38,066 It doesn't, does it? It's just cheaper estimate. 194 00:08:38,133 --> 00:08:41,033 No, ma'am. All I got on that part was verbal when I obtained the quote. 195 00:08:41,100 --> 00:08:42,633 All I got on that was verbal. 196 00:08:42,700 --> 00:08:47,300 Why should he be compelled to take the absolute cheapest estimate? 197 00:08:47,367 --> 00:08:50,000 [Bolton] The plaintiff was informed by me on that day, 198 00:08:50,066 --> 00:08:52,233 that was questioned earlier, to get a quote, 199 00:08:52,300 --> 00:08:54,900 not to get the work done… [clears throat] and supply me a bill. 200 00:08:54,967 --> 00:08:57,967 He was informed I wanted a quote to what it was gonna cost to get done. 201 00:08:58,033 --> 00:09:00,900 And he went and had the work done instead of supplying a quote. 202 00:09:00,967 --> 00:09:03,533 He supplied me a bill, not a quote. 203 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:05,300 Did you suggest to the defendant? 204 00:09:05,367 --> 00:09:08,567 Because it strikes me that maybe this is just a misunderstanding, 205 00:09:08,633 --> 00:09:13,033 that you were gonna run the numbers by him first before he did the work. 206 00:09:13,100 --> 00:09:14,600 Did you ever make that suggestion? 207 00:09:14,667 --> 00:09:16,700 - Uh, not that I can recall. - [Judge Acker] But maybe you did. 208 00:09:16,767 --> 00:09:18,100 - Maybe I did. - But you didn't, 209 00:09:18,166 --> 00:09:19,900 then you just went ahead and got the work done? 210 00:09:19,967 --> 00:09:22,266 In the text messages, I actually do-- 211 00:09:22,333 --> 00:09:24,834 apologize for that, I did say it is a misunderstanding. 212 00:09:24,900 --> 00:09:29,100 I--I'm looking right at the text message, like, you're reading my mind. 213 00:09:29,166 --> 00:09:32,567 Because there is a message from the plaintiff to you, sir, where he says, 214 00:09:32,633 --> 00:09:35,900 "I apologize for the misunderstanding, but what's done is done. 215 00:09:35,967 --> 00:09:37,033 Can't undo the work." 216 00:09:37,100 --> 00:09:38,700 So now he's done the work, 217 00:09:38,767 --> 00:09:40,633 it's work for which your young princes 218 00:09:40,700 --> 00:09:42,867 - are, at least in part, responsible. - [Bolton] Correct. 219 00:09:42,934 --> 00:09:45,066 [Judge Acker] There's about a $200 difference. 220 00:09:45,133 --> 00:09:46,900 - [Bolton] Uh-hmm. - Do you think that that 221 00:09:46,967 --> 00:09:48,600 is worth all of this? 222 00:09:48,667 --> 00:09:50,266 I think I paid what's fair. 223 00:09:50,333 --> 00:09:51,700 [Judge Acker] Are the young princes here? 224 00:09:51,767 --> 00:09:52,934 - [Bolton] They are. - [Judge Acker] May I see them? 225 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:54,900 - Absolutely. - [Judge Acker] Okay, let's bring them in. 226 00:09:54,967 --> 00:09:56,500 Let's meet this nobility. 227 00:09:57,900 --> 00:10:01,433 Did the two of you know each other or meet one another before this incident? 228 00:10:01,500 --> 00:10:02,700 - [Bolton] First time I met him. - [Soares] No. 229 00:10:02,767 --> 00:10:04,367 - [Judge Acker] So no bad blood… - No, ma'am. 230 00:10:04,433 --> 00:10:05,967 [Judge Acker] … no reason for any hostility? 231 00:10:06,033 --> 00:10:07,367 No, ma'am. 232 00:10:07,433 --> 00:10:09,500 [Judge Acker] Here come these kings. 233 00:10:11,967 --> 00:10:14,700 Can you please tell us your names? Let's start with you, sir. 234 00:10:14,767 --> 00:10:16,533 - Ayden Pagett. - [Judge Acker] Ayden? 235 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:18,934 - And what's your name, young man? - Rylee Pagett. 236 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:21,033 - [Judge Acker] Say it one more time? - Rylee Pagett. 237 00:10:21,100 --> 00:10:22,200 [Judge Acker] Ayden and Rylee. 238 00:10:22,266 --> 00:10:23,800 Do you remember in July 239 00:10:23,867 --> 00:10:26,533 playing in the plaintiff's yard? Do you remember that? 240 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:27,600 - Yes, ma'am. - Yes, ma'am. 241 00:10:27,667 --> 00:10:29,433 [Judge Acker] And you remember kicking the faucet? 242 00:10:29,500 --> 00:10:30,500 - Yes, ma'am. - Yes, ma'am. 243 00:10:30,567 --> 00:10:32,467 - And you had another friend there, right? - [both] Yes, ma'am. 244 00:10:32,533 --> 00:10:35,233 [Judge Acker] But were you kicking the faucet along with your friend? 245 00:10:35,300 --> 00:10:36,900 Were you playing with the faucet too? 246 00:10:36,967 --> 00:10:37,967 - Yes, ma'am. - Yes, ma'am. 247 00:10:38,033 --> 00:10:39,767 - And then you saw it break? - [Rylee] Yes, ma'am. 248 00:10:39,834 --> 00:10:43,233 So, like, whenever, um, me and him kicked it, it didn't break or anything. 249 00:10:43,300 --> 00:10:46,533 So then when our friend kicked it, it, like, broke. 250 00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:48,567 [Judge Acker] That did the final damage. 251 00:10:48,633 --> 00:10:52,300 So if I take this cup and I hit it 252 00:10:52,367 --> 00:10:55,165 with this gavel and it starts to shatter, 253 00:10:55,233 --> 00:10:56,433 and it gets weaker, 254 00:10:56,500 --> 00:10:58,700 and then if I give it to Judge DiMango 255 00:10:59,300 --> 00:11:03,000 and she hits it with her gavel and it breaks, 256 00:11:03,066 --> 00:11:07,100 doesn't that mean that both I and Judge DiMango are responsible 257 00:11:07,166 --> 00:11:08,333 for damaging the cup? 258 00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:10,033 - [both] Yes, ma'am. - [Judge Acker] You get that? 259 00:11:10,100 --> 00:11:12,567 So that's kind of like this situation a little bit, isn't it? 260 00:11:12,633 --> 00:11:17,433 Like, you did some damage and then maybe your friend, with his kick, 261 00:11:17,500 --> 00:11:19,100 that was the icing on the cake. 262 00:11:19,166 --> 00:11:21,800 But you all are kind of in this together, weren't you? 263 00:11:21,867 --> 00:11:22,867 - Yes, ma'am. - Yes, ma'am. 264 00:11:22,934 --> 00:11:23,934 [Judge Acker] You've been very candid. 265 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:26,200 Granddad told you to apologize. 266 00:11:26,266 --> 00:11:31,367 But there's a still a little dispute between your granddad and Mr. Soares. 267 00:11:31,433 --> 00:11:32,600 But I think it would be nice, 268 00:11:32,667 --> 00:11:34,834 because courts are a real pain for everybody. 269 00:11:34,900 --> 00:11:37,567 Maybe it would be nice to just give him another apology again, 270 00:11:37,633 --> 00:11:39,834 because it's a big pain when you got to take off work 271 00:11:39,900 --> 00:11:41,767 and come to court and do all of this. 272 00:11:41,834 --> 00:11:43,500 Do you wanna say sorry again? 273 00:11:43,567 --> 00:11:44,567 Yes, ma'am. 274 00:11:44,633 --> 00:11:45,934 - Sorry. - Sorry. 275 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:47,200 All right. [chuckles softly] 276 00:11:47,266 --> 00:11:48,867 Judge DiMango? 277 00:11:48,934 --> 00:11:51,433 I think your kingdom was in trouble there for a while. 278 00:11:51,500 --> 00:11:54,266 - [laughter] - Good thing I got them two coming up. 279 00:11:54,333 --> 00:11:55,834 [laughter] 280 00:11:55,900 --> 00:11:58,500 So if we settle this case in a way 281 00:11:58,567 --> 00:12:03,100 where we say your grandpa owes another $200... 282 00:12:03,166 --> 00:12:05,333 your grandfather really didn't do anything wrong, did he? 283 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:06,633 - No, ma'am. - No, ma'am. 284 00:12:06,700 --> 00:12:10,967 Rylee, were you with that group the first time that turned the faucet on? 285 00:12:11,033 --> 00:12:12,500 - Yes, ma'am. - [Judge DiMango] You were? 286 00:12:12,567 --> 00:12:15,767 And another occasions, I'm gonna ask you, Ayden, 287 00:12:15,834 --> 00:12:18,633 was that the first time that you turned the faucet on? 288 00:12:18,700 --> 00:12:19,834 - Uh, no, ma'am. - [Judge DiMango] No? 289 00:12:19,900 --> 00:12:25,300 So you've been to his home how many times and used his faucet? Rylee. 290 00:12:25,367 --> 00:12:26,767 - I don't know. - [Judge DiMango] Approximately. 291 00:12:26,834 --> 00:12:28,367 Give me a guess. How many? 292 00:12:28,433 --> 00:12:30,233 Maybe like 15 or 20. 293 00:12:30,300 --> 00:12:32,033 [Judge DiMango] Fifteen or 20 times? 294 00:12:32,834 --> 00:12:35,066 - I think you watered the whole yard. - [laughter] 295 00:12:35,700 --> 00:12:37,233 Maybe 15. 296 00:12:37,300 --> 00:12:40,200 Ayden, tell me, how many times? 297 00:12:40,734 --> 00:12:42,734 Six to ten times. 298 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:44,400 [Judge DiMango] Six to ten times. 299 00:12:44,467 --> 00:12:45,467 Why? 300 00:12:45,533 --> 00:12:49,900 We were, um, thirsty and we didn't live that, like, at--close. 301 00:12:49,967 --> 00:12:51,900 [Judge DiMango] Well, that's just not right. 302 00:12:51,967 --> 00:12:54,967 I mean, that's taking from somebody else. 303 00:12:55,033 --> 00:12:56,400 It's going on their property. 304 00:12:56,467 --> 00:12:58,633 Do you know why he had to put a lock on it? 305 00:12:58,700 --> 00:13:00,233 - Yes, ma'am. - [Judge DiMango] Why? 306 00:13:00,300 --> 00:13:01,767 Because we're, um, turning his faucet on. 307 00:13:01,834 --> 00:13:03,367 [Judge DiMango] Because you're turning it on. 308 00:13:03,433 --> 00:13:05,900 Judge Levy doesn't do too much for no reason, 309 00:13:05,967 --> 00:13:10,367 and he was very specific to say there were a group of kicks and a break, 310 00:13:10,433 --> 00:13:11,900 a group of kicks and a break, 311 00:13:11,967 --> 00:13:15,033 and a group of kicks and a break. And I'm gonna guess that in his mind, 312 00:13:15,100 --> 00:13:18,467 he was thinking, "Each one of you took a shot at it." 313 00:13:18,533 --> 00:13:19,934 So is that what happened? 314 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:21,000 - Yes, ma'am. - Yes, ma'am. 315 00:13:21,066 --> 00:13:22,700 Who kicked first, Rylee? 316 00:13:22,767 --> 00:13:24,767 [Rylee] I think I'm pretty sure our friend. 317 00:13:24,834 --> 00:13:25,834 [Judge DiMango] Your friend kicked first? 318 00:13:25,900 --> 00:13:28,500 So he wasn't even the guy that blew through the last blow. 319 00:13:28,567 --> 00:13:31,133 So he kicks. Who kicked second? 320 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:32,200 Rylee. 321 00:13:32,266 --> 00:13:34,433 - Me. - [Judge DiMango] Who kicked third? 322 00:13:34,500 --> 00:13:35,500 Me. 323 00:13:35,567 --> 00:13:37,567 [Judge DiMango] You know what that's called in the law? 324 00:13:37,633 --> 00:13:39,567 That's called "acting in concert." 325 00:13:39,633 --> 00:13:41,567 And that means that everybody 326 00:13:41,633 --> 00:13:46,400 who in some way participates is equally responsible 327 00:13:46,467 --> 00:13:48,700 or fully responsible. 328 00:13:48,767 --> 00:13:52,467 You could be held responsible for some of it or all of it, 329 00:13:52,533 --> 00:13:55,367 or shared equally. Do you understand that concept? 330 00:13:55,433 --> 00:13:57,567 - Yes, ma'am. - [Judge DiMango] Do you understand that? 331 00:13:57,633 --> 00:13:58,633 Yes, ma'am. 332 00:13:59,367 --> 00:14:02,100 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 333 00:14:02,166 --> 00:14:05,500 [Judge DiMango] So what if I asked, "What would you wanna do to help Mr. Soares? 334 00:14:05,567 --> 00:14:08,567 Maybe, um, pull some weeds and do some gardening? 335 00:14:08,633 --> 00:14:10,333 [Judge DiMango] Do you have a need for that, sir? 336 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:12,767 - Is there any kind of stuff… - He doesn't want the child labor! 337 00:14:12,834 --> 00:14:13,900 [laughter] 338 00:14:13,967 --> 00:14:15,100 They could--well, they could help him clean up. 339 00:14:16,767 --> 00:14:17,800 [dramatic musical sting] 340 00:14:19,533 --> 00:14:21,266 [theme music plays] 341 00:14:21,333 --> 00:14:23,533 [announcer] Kenneth Soares is suing Jeffery Bolton 342 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:27,433 for plumbing damages caused by Jeffery's two grandsons. 343 00:14:27,500 --> 00:14:30,900 But Jeffery claims Kenneth agreed to get repair quotes, 344 00:14:30,967 --> 00:14:34,300 then surprised him with an overcharged bill. 345 00:14:34,367 --> 00:14:36,567 If we settle this case in a way 346 00:14:36,633 --> 00:14:40,734 where we say your grandpa owes another $200... 347 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:43,400 grandfather really didn't do anything wrong, did he? 348 00:14:43,467 --> 00:14:44,467 No, ma'am. 349 00:14:44,533 --> 00:14:47,700 [Judge DiMango] And what if I told you that, uh, Mr. Soares here, 350 00:14:47,767 --> 00:14:50,433 like, needs a little work done around his yard, 351 00:14:50,500 --> 00:14:53,433 like some gardening and things like that or picking up weeds? 352 00:14:53,500 --> 00:14:54,734 I'll be fine with doing it. 353 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:58,165 You'd be fine with maybe working off that $200? 354 00:14:58,233 --> 00:15:00,433 - Yes, ma'am. - [Judge DiMango] So what if I asked you, 355 00:15:00,500 --> 00:15:03,633 Rylee, what would you wanna do to help Mr. Soares? 356 00:15:04,100 --> 00:15:07,367 Maybe, um, pull some weeds and do some gardening? 357 00:15:07,433 --> 00:15:09,000 Do you have a need for that, sir? 358 00:15:09,066 --> 00:15:11,300 - I do have a gardener that I pay. - Is there any kind of stuff [indistinct]. 359 00:15:11,367 --> 00:15:12,567 He doesn't want the child labor [indistinct]! 360 00:15:12,633 --> 00:15:14,767 - [laughter] - [Judge DiMango] They could--well, 361 00:15:14,834 --> 00:15:16,433 they could help him clean up. 362 00:15:16,500 --> 00:15:18,367 - [Judge Acker laughs] - They could help him-- 363 00:15:18,433 --> 00:15:20,633 because they should be in some way responsible. 364 00:15:20,700 --> 00:15:23,367 I mean, they broke something, they admit to breaking it. 365 00:15:23,433 --> 00:15:26,100 So why should Grandpa keep getting stuck with the bill? 366 00:15:26,166 --> 00:15:28,133 - Yes, sir. - Judge, they did pay for the $200. 367 00:15:28,200 --> 00:15:30,700 They pay me back by mowing yards around the neighborhood. 368 00:15:30,767 --> 00:15:32,567 - [Judge DiMango] They did? - That's their money. Not mine. 369 00:15:32,633 --> 00:15:35,300 Okay. So there. There goes your child labor today. 370 00:15:35,367 --> 00:15:36,367 - [Judge Acker] Yeah, I know. - [laughter] 371 00:15:36,433 --> 00:15:37,967 [Judge Acker] [indistinct] child labor, I'm good with it. 372 00:15:38,033 --> 00:15:40,100 They probably got more money in their wallet than I do right now. 373 00:15:40,165 --> 00:15:42,033 [laughter] 374 00:15:42,100 --> 00:15:46,033 If we rule in favor of the plaintiff, you are still stuck with this bill. 375 00:15:46,100 --> 00:15:47,900 - So, I'm gonna ask… -[Jeffery] Then they're gonna pay me back. 376 00:15:47,967 --> 00:15:49,633 - Yes, ma'am. - [Judge DiMango] Yeah. All right. 377 00:15:49,700 --> 00:15:50,967 Both of you have a seat. 378 00:15:51,033 --> 00:15:55,100 Let me just say to you, I know you wanted him maybe to get an estimate. 379 00:15:55,165 --> 00:15:58,165 But it's not easy to have people come to your home while you're working. 380 00:15:58,233 --> 00:15:59,900 He already had this scheduled. 381 00:15:59,967 --> 00:16:01,834 He already had this worker 382 00:16:01,900 --> 00:16:03,266 - coming to the house. - Yes, ma'am. 383 00:16:03,333 --> 00:16:04,934 [Judge DiMango] You know, he's not gonna say, "All right. 384 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:06,667 Let me get three or four estimates here 385 00:16:06,734 --> 00:16:09,100 to see whether or not I could save them $50." 386 00:16:09,166 --> 00:16:10,300 - [Soares] Not at all. - [Judge DiMango] No? 387 00:16:10,367 --> 00:16:11,867 I mean, why would he? Would you? 388 00:16:11,934 --> 00:16:13,767 - No. - [Judge DiMango] No. You wouldn't. 389 00:16:13,834 --> 00:16:16,133 So, I don't have any other questions at this time. 390 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:17,500 Does anybody else have any questions? 391 00:16:17,567 --> 00:16:19,500 Then we're going to retire to deliberate. 392 00:16:19,567 --> 00:16:20,633 Thank you very much. 393 00:16:20,700 --> 00:16:22,133 - Yes, ma'am. - [Cassandra] Court is now in recess. 394 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:24,467 Parties may exit. 395 00:16:24,533 --> 00:16:27,600 [dramatic musical sting] 396 00:16:28,133 --> 00:16:30,166 - Out of the mouth of babes. - [laughter] 397 00:16:30,233 --> 00:16:32,066 Can you imagine? 398 00:16:32,133 --> 00:16:34,567 They fessed up, they told the truth. 399 00:16:34,633 --> 00:16:36,834 Boys are gonna be mischievous. 400 00:16:36,900 --> 00:16:38,700 But I'm glad the worst thing that happened to them 401 00:16:38,767 --> 00:16:40,834 is that they had to do some extra chores, 402 00:16:40,900 --> 00:16:42,200 which was the right thing for Granddad to do. 403 00:16:42,266 --> 00:16:43,266 Uh-hmm. 404 00:16:43,333 --> 00:16:45,633 [Judge Levy] I can completely understand why Granddad 405 00:16:45,700 --> 00:16:48,033 didn't wanna pay the additional $236. 406 00:16:48,100 --> 00:16:49,567 - Sure. - [Judge Levy] But legally, 407 00:16:49,633 --> 00:16:54,567 the law's clear that parents and guardians are responsible for the intentional 408 00:16:54,633 --> 00:16:58,133 mischievous acts of their charges, 409 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:00,600 and joint and several liability applies. 410 00:17:00,667 --> 00:17:04,467 So if Granddad has a problem with what I suggest is the correct verdict 411 00:17:04,532 --> 00:17:09,032 in the case, which is that he should pay $236 to the plaintiff, 412 00:17:09,099 --> 00:17:11,666 Granddad could always go to the other boy's family 413 00:17:11,733 --> 00:17:14,834 and ask for contribution, but that's beyond what we're doing here, 414 00:17:14,900 --> 00:17:17,099 but I believe that that is, uh, a fair and just verdict. 415 00:17:17,165 --> 00:17:20,567 I do, too. Like, to an extent, they're still kids. 416 00:17:20,633 --> 00:17:23,767 My hat's off to the defendant for doing such a fine job 417 00:17:23,834 --> 00:17:27,099 and my hat's off to us for cracking such a… 418 00:17:27,165 --> 00:17:28,233 - [laughs] - Difficult case. 419 00:17:28,300 --> 00:17:30,300 For cracking the uncrackable. 420 00:17:30,367 --> 00:17:32,467 But no, seriously, I'm with you, Adam. 421 00:17:32,533 --> 00:17:35,834 - Kids that drink together, sink together. - [laughter] 422 00:17:35,900 --> 00:17:40,400 [Judge DiMango] Both of them responsible and I really felt that Mr. Soares, 423 00:17:40,467 --> 00:17:42,633 he had no other obligation to find a cheaper price. 424 00:17:42,700 --> 00:17:44,767 And I'm with you, I'm on board, 425 00:17:44,834 --> 00:17:46,967 - he owes $200. - [Judge Levy] Unanimous? 426 00:17:47,033 --> 00:17:48,133 - [Judge Acker] Indeed. - All right. 427 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:52,533 [dramatic musical sting] 428 00:17:52,600 --> 00:17:53,900 Court is now in session. 429 00:17:53,967 --> 00:17:56,300 All parties are reminded that you're still under oath. 430 00:17:57,300 --> 00:18:01,000 Ayden and Rylee, yeah, you were a little mischievous. 431 00:18:01,066 --> 00:18:02,500 Who's not at your age? 432 00:18:02,567 --> 00:18:04,767 As long as you learned a good lesson. 433 00:18:04,834 --> 00:18:06,667 Do you think that you learned a good lesson, Rylee? 434 00:18:06,734 --> 00:18:07,834 Yes, sir. 435 00:18:07,900 --> 00:18:09,767 [Judge Levy] What's that lesson that you learned? 436 00:18:09,834 --> 00:18:13,967 Not to go to other people's houses and break their stuff. 437 00:18:14,033 --> 00:18:15,333 Ayden, is that about right? 438 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:16,500 - [Ayden] Yes, sir. - [Judge Levy] I'm glad 439 00:18:16,567 --> 00:18:18,467 that you learned the lesson that you did. 440 00:18:18,533 --> 00:18:21,367 Mr. Bolton, as I think that you can pretty much gather, 441 00:18:21,433 --> 00:18:24,367 we don't think that you were wrong at all for questioning the bill. 442 00:18:24,433 --> 00:18:27,033 It's common sense. But law is the law. 443 00:18:27,100 --> 00:18:28,100 Yes, sir. 444 00:18:28,166 --> 00:18:29,967 And what that law says is, number one, 445 00:18:30,033 --> 00:18:33,433 that parents and guardians are responsible for the intentional, 446 00:18:33,500 --> 00:18:37,200 willful, mischievous acts of their charges. 447 00:18:37,266 --> 00:18:41,300 And number two, that those parents and guardians are jointly 448 00:18:41,367 --> 00:18:44,433 and severally liable for damages that they cause. 449 00:18:44,500 --> 00:18:49,467 So, it's the unanimous verdict of the court that you pay the plaintiff 450 00:18:49,533 --> 00:18:52,600 the $236 that's outstanding on that bill. 451 00:18:52,667 --> 00:18:54,500 - Okay. - [Judge Levy] Now, boys, 452 00:18:54,567 --> 00:18:58,900 he's gonna have to pay $236 more to the plaintiff over here 453 00:18:58,967 --> 00:19:00,834 for the damage that you did 454 00:19:00,900 --> 00:19:03,033 because the damage was more than he thought. 455 00:19:03,100 --> 00:19:04,100 Do you understand that? 456 00:19:04,166 --> 00:19:05,166 - Yes, sir. - Yes, sir. 457 00:19:05,233 --> 00:19:07,233 [Judge Levy] So you're gonna have to go back, work off that debt. 458 00:19:07,300 --> 00:19:08,633 You would agree to do that? 459 00:19:08,700 --> 00:19:09,900 To pay your granddad back? 460 00:19:09,967 --> 00:19:11,500 - Yes, sir. - [Judge Levy] Right on. 461 00:19:11,567 --> 00:19:13,433 That is the unanimous verdict of the court. 462 00:19:13,500 --> 00:19:15,133 - Thank you all. - [gavel bangs] 463 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:17,433 [Cassandra] This case has been concluded. 464 00:19:17,500 --> 00:19:19,200 You're now excused. 465 00:19:19,266 --> 00:19:23,033 [theme music plays] 466 00:19:23,100 --> 00:19:25,100 Uh, I think the bill was still overinflated. 467 00:19:25,166 --> 00:19:26,834 I think justice was served. 468 00:19:26,900 --> 00:19:28,500 But you gotta pay for your mistakes. 469 00:19:28,567 --> 00:19:33,133 Oh, I believe a police report was warranted because major damages were done. 470 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:34,834 I probably shouldn't do it ever again. 471 00:19:34,900 --> 00:19:36,300 Yeah, I mean, I still hope we'll be good neighbors 472 00:19:36,367 --> 00:19:37,934 and stay out of each other's way. 473 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:40,033 I'm ready for them to go back fishing in that neighborhood. 474 00:19:40,100 --> 00:19:41,233 Oh, I'm actually getting a fence. 475 00:19:41,300 --> 00:19:43,633 - [laughs] - We'll find another way. 476 00:19:43,700 --> 00:19:47,100 [announcer] Have you been scammed, cheated, or swindled? 477 00:19:47,166 --> 00:19:50,166 Let Tribunal Justice decide your case. 478 00:19:50,233 --> 00:19:52,467 Find us on social media. 479 00:19:52,533 --> 00:19:55,934 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays]