Its 3pm PT and I just got home!
 
There was a pro-tem judge in small claims court, so my small claims advisory book advised me to request to be heard by a professional judge.  So, I did.  He couldn't hear the case until 11:30 am.  My book said that small claims court cases are heard in about 5-10 minutes.  This judge had me on my feet for the first 30 minutes, asking me to show him all my evidence, which I did.  Then at 12 noon, the court recessed for lunch until 1:30 pm.  As we were leaving the court room before the lunch, I was the last one out, and the Bailiff came up to me and said "Go girl!  You are doing the best job of presenting your case I have ever heard.  Keep it up."  (I'm sure she meant for a small claims court case.)  I was nervous wreck through all of this.  I was too nervous to eat lunch, so I bought a bottle of water, called my brother for more advice based upon what had happened so far.  He gave me excellent advice, to keep showing the judge all the inconsistent statements made by the movers.  They said one thing to the police and then another thing to the BBB, and in court yet new things.
 
When we reconvened at 1:30 pm, the Judge told me that he had read through all my statements and documents in my binder during the lunch break.   (Thank-you God!)  So he said for me not to repeat what was in the binder.  I tried to go over a document I created outlining all the inconsistent statements made by the movers, as my brother had suggested.  But he stopped me and said that he already read that.  I tried to bring up a statement by my brother, and offered that my brother, who is in CO, is available by telephone, if the judge wanted to talk to him.  But he said flippantly, if he is a witness he should be here in court.  He's not calling anyone on the telephone.  He did cross examine me to determine if I had told the movers to stop the move, did I refuse delivery.  I said that I did not.
 
He then wanted to hear from the movers........wow.....more WHOPPERS....these people are pathological liars!  But I did not respond, I was stoned faced (except for a few rolled eye balls, which couldn't be helped when new outrageous whoppers were told.)  I calmly made my list of notes for my final rebuttal.  The judge gave me a chance to rebut and make any final statements.  I went through one by one each WHOPPER told just then by movers, and pointed out how he was contradicting himself with what he had told the Police.
 
Then I went into my closing argument listing how I had proved that movers abducted my goods, after full contract price had been made, and were holding my goods hostage for more money.  All of this was proved by the police report.....by statements movers made to police report.
 
I told the judge that this type of scam is exactly why a law was placed on the books in January to award punitive damages to any victims of this type of scam to discourage this type of abuse.  I told him that I prepared this case in my spare time when I wasn't working, which required long hours to do the research and gather the evidence and present it in an orderly fashion today.  This is not what I do for a living.  I told him the ONLY reason I am doing this is as my civic duty to bring scam artists like this to justice so that they will stop doing this to innocent victims.  I told him I was encouraged by the PUC Manager to do this, because this was the only way to stop this type of criminal activity, reinforcing that I was a victim of a common scam to extort more money out of the people moving.
 
 
Then I'm ashamed to say that at this point I broke down into tears.  I apologized for the emotions, but persevered and explained that the Judge needs to understand how these scams torment and traumatize their victims, and that I have suffered numerous nightmares re-living that day when I thought my goods had been stolen.  Why did I AND the police think they were stolen?  Because movers left without notice and then from 10:30am to 4pm that day the movers office had their all their phones off the hook.
 
One of the Whoppers the movers told today was that they just went out to lunch and after lunch came to my condo and attempted to re-deliver my goods.  This contradicted what the movers told the police on the day in question. I was in my condo sitting on the floor trying to remember everything I owned and what its value was as the Police had recommended from 10:30 to 2pm.  I was there until 2 to 2:30 pm that day, when a friend suggested that I jump in the car and drive to the address on the move contract to see if it was phoney too.
 
Anyway, the judge seemed to be intently listening to everything I was saying, so I pressed further and made a passionate plea: "It's up to you now to enforce the law to stop these extortions.  The legislative body, out of obvious need, placed these laws on the books because of widespread move extortion schemes exactly like this one.  They have done their part.  I have done my part by slaving over the preparation of this case, so I could do the best possible job of presenting my case, when I have much better things to be doing.  I have given you the evidence, please enforce the law.  Its up to you now.  Throw the book at them, whatever you have to do so they will stop doing this."
 
And then I sat down.  The mover stood up to make his final remarks, but when I sat down the judge announced that this case is now closed, and this case will be taken under consideration ....or something like that......in any case he was not going to announce his verdict today.  My book prepared me for this possibility.
 
The Bailiff gave me my binder back from the Judge, and said I was free to go now.  So nervous and shaking and still fighting back tears I swept up all my stuff and practically ran to the elevator.  Thank God I didn't have to ride down the elevator with this slim bucket.  I went to my car and I was reduced to praying and talking to myself.  Put key in ignition.  God help not to get into an accident as I am incredibly shook up right now.  Put seatbelt on.  Put car in reverse......step on brake and look behind you so you don't crash into anyone.....on and on all the way home.
 
This was a gut wrenching experience.  I was still trembling once at home.  I'm forcing myself to write to everyone now, and to thank you for your prayers today.  Its now up to God and this judge.
 
I hope I win, but even if I don't, this case is now on the books for future victims to draw upon when these movers extort someone else.  I've done my part.  I've done the best I possibly can.  Thanks to all of you who so graciously helped me.
 
I need to sign off now, and rest before I have a heart attack or something!
 
Thanks for prayers.  Keep praying until I let you know what the verdict is.  If I win the case, I have been advised to expect movers to appeal........another ordeal.  I can't think about that now.
 
Thanks for your support!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Maranatha!
Deborah
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