It’s #evictioncourtfriday.

22 cases on the docket. Far more than other days we’ve observed since the courts reopened.

Judge has asked a tenant if they wish to file an answer, the legally necessary step to avoid eviction. Long pause from the tenant, then: “What is that?”

“I’m not very well informed on that,” they continued. They lost their job due to COVID, tried to negotiate for a payment plan, but the LL refused. Eviction granted.

Judge to another tenant: “Have you filed an answer?” “We came to speak for ourselves.” “But have you filed an answer?” They hadn’t. Showing to court is valuable, but having legal counsel is crucial.

Judge has ordered mediation in every case where both parties are present in court. In each of today’s cases that went to mediation only one side had an attorney present: it wasn’t the tenant.

Judge: “are you going to file an answer?” Tenant: “I really don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve never been in his situation before.” They ask for time and help, explaining, “There’s been a lot of miscommunication.” An attorney could make a world of difference.

Now 5 cases in a row, all handled by the same attorney, all tenants absent, all evictions granted by default.

These evictions took 1-2 minutes each.

Final case of the morning. The tenant has filed an answer and is trying to explain their defense to the judge, “I’m sorry, I don’t really know how to do this.” Judge grants the trial—we hope the tenant will bring an attorney.

Actually, there are two more. Same as before: default judgements, 1-minute evictions.

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