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Small Claims Court Clinic

A Joint Project of
Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.
and
The Put Something Back Project
3000 Biscayne Boulevard, #500
Miami, FL 33137
305-576-0080

Is Small Claims Court Right for You?

Small Claims Court can help people quickly and easily fix disputes involving $5,000.00 or less without an attorney going to court with them.

Typical Small Claims Court problems include:

• unpaid wages;
  
• damages caused by a car accident;
  
• landlord-tenant problems involving money;
  
• car repair problems.

What is the Small Claims Court Clinic?

At the Small Claims Court Clinic, private attorneys give free legal advice to people who want to bring or defend a Small Claims Court case. The Clinic is held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the offices of Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. at 3000 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 500, Miami. All clients are seen by appointment.

How Do I Get an Appointment to Attend a Clinic?

Appointments are scheduled starting the Wednesday morning after each Clinic for the following Clinic. You are given an appointment to attend the Clinic, but not for a specific time during the Clinic. Appointments are limited so you are encouraged to sign up as early as possible.

To make an appointment, call the Senior Intake Paralegal at 305-576-0080, extension 516. You may also visit the Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. office at 3000 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 500. Tell the receptionist you wish to make an appointment for the next Small Claims Clinic.

Once you have an appointment, come to 3000 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 500 at 4:30 p.m. on the date of your Clinic appointment. At that time you will be asked to sign in. People will be seen by the private attorneys in the order in which they sign in. Typically, everyone is seen by 8:00 p.m.

If you are unable to keep your appointment, call the Senior Intake Paralegal at 305-576-0080, extension 516 to cancel your appointment. This is important so another person can be given your appointment.

What Do the Attorneys Do at the Clinic?

• Meet with you for about 15 minutes to talk about your case, and help you decide if Small
• Claims Court is right for you.
  
• Give you information about the Small Claims Court procedure and what to expect when you go to Court.
  
• Tell you how to complete legal forms and papers.
  
• Tell you how to file your lawsuit and serve the other side.
  
• Advise you how to present your evidence to the Court and prove your case.
  
• Talk about possible ways to settle your case.

What Don't the Attorneys Do at the Clinic?

• The Attorneys do not complete any forms or papers for you. You must do that yourself.
  
• The Attorneys do not go to Court with you to represent you at your hearing. If you decide you want a lawyer to go to Court with you, call the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-342-8011 for the name of a lawyer in your area. If you are low-income, ask for a lawyer on the low fee panel who will charge you a reduced fee.
  
• The Attorneys do not write or talk to the other side to help you settle your case.
  
• The Attorneys do not provide any legal service other than to advise you during your Clinic appointment.

2004 Small Claims Clinic Schedule

April 13, 27

May 11, 25

June 8, 22

July 13, 27

August 10, 24

September 14, 28

October 12, 26

November 9, 23

December 14, 28


Note: If you only need to pick up forms to file your Small Claims lawsuit you should go to the Clerk's Office at any County courthouse and ask for the Small Claims Packet. The Clerk will help you fill our your forms if you require assistance and will answer any questions you have regarding the completion of the forms.