The People’s Court Podcast

First, the plaintiff says the defendant, her best friend, wanted a new car, so she agreed to take over the payments on his old one. He assured her he was current on the loan, but when she assumed the payments, the finance company told her he was two months behind. She is suing for the money owed. The defendant says the deal never went through because the finance company refused to add the plaintiff’s name to the title since she didn’t have a valid driver’s license at the time. Then, the plaintiff says the defendant, a real estate agent, stole her money and is suing for a refund of the fees she paid. The defendant says she found an apartment for the plaintiff but told her she’d have to wait to move in because the current tenant hadn’t yet vacated. When that tenant’s new housing fell through, the move-in was delayed. The defendant says she informed the plaintiff and promised to find another apartment of equal or greater quality. She claims the plaintiff then began threatening her, saying she knew where she lived, and she’s glad to be in court so the judge can finally end the chaos. Plus, the plaintiff says the defendant, the father of her youngest son, agreed to split the cost of a cruise but never paid his share. Because the cruise balance must be paid in full before departure, she is suing for the remaining amount owed. The defendant says he never agreed to pay and that they were still together when planning the trip. He claims she now wants to go alone and make him fund it, so he refuses to pay a dime. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiffs say they rented an apartment from the defendant, who promised it would be ready, but when they arrived, the unit was infested with cockroaches and had no working toilet. They told the defendant they wouldn’t be moving in, but he refused to return their money. They’re suing to get it back. The defendant says one of the plaintiffs’ roommates backed out, and when the other two realized they couldn’t afford the apartment, they asked for a refund. He refused, citing their signed lease. He’s countersuing for unpaid rent. Then, the plaintiff claims the defendant ran a red light at a high speed and crashed into her vehicle. She is suing for the cost of the resulting damages. The defendant, however, argues that the plaintiff was the one who struck her, tearing off the entire front end of her truck. Plus, the plaintiff, a longtime accountant, says he handled the defendants’ taxes for 18 years. He claims they unexpectedly decided to take their business elsewhere but failed to pay him for services rendered. He is suing for the outstanding balance. The defendants argue that the plaintiff’s service declined after he moved out of state, he raised his rates while doing less work. They maintain that switching accountants was justified and that they owe him nothing. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiffs say they rented an apartment from the defendant, but were never informed she owned a large German shepherd. They say they felt unsafe and asked to leave, and now they’re suing for the return of their security deposit. The defendant claims the plaintiffs broke their lease and are using the dog as an excuse, adding that they left the apartment filthy. Then, the plaintiff says she loaned the defendant money for plane tickets so they could attend her granddaughter’s birthday party. Nearly a year has passed and she still hasn’t been repaid, so she’s suing for the money owed. The defendant claims she told the plaintiff she couldn’t afford the trip, and that the plaintiff offered to pay for the tickets as a gift. Plus, the plaintiff says she was stopped at a red light when the defendant rear-ended her, hitting her car with such force that she then hit the vehicle in front of her. She is suing for the cost of the damages. The defendant says the plaintiff stopped short and she was unable to brake in time. She also claims there was no damage to the plaintiff’s car. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says the defendant hired her band to perform at a venue and signed a contract but then refused to provide a copy or pay the agreed performance fee. She is suing for the promised amount. The defendant says the booking was made through a large corporation and contract processing takes time. She claims the plaintiff simply lost patience and overreacted. Then, the plaintiff says she agreed to rent a room in the defendant’s home, but when his wife returned from her out-of-town job, she was furious because the defendant never told her the plaintiff had moved in. The couple got into a fight and the wife kicked him out. Then the defendant’s son moved in and made unwanted advances toward her, prompting her to move out. She’s suing for the return of her security deposit. The defendant claims the plaintiff brought random men into the house at all hours, and when he told her she needed permission for guests, she became upset and left without notice. Plus, the plaintiff says he loaned the defendant, a former friend, money to attend a baseball showcase for recruitment. He is suing to get his money back. The defendant says he never played because the event was sold out and he couldn’t secure a spot. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says she and the defendant were in a relationship, and she opened a Home Depot credit card in her name to help him. He charged up a $3,000 balance, began paying it off, then stopped. She is suing for the amount owed. The defendant says the plaintiff agreed to contribute toward the bills while he renovated his apartment, where she spent a significant amount of time. They even got a dog together. After four years, he claims she cheated, so he ended the relationship and kicked her out. Now, two years later, she is suing him. Then, the plaintiff says her car was damaged after a fire broke out in the defendant’s shed, allegedly caused by toxic chemicals stored inside. She’s suing for the resulting damages. The defendant denies setting or causing the fire and argues she bears no responsibility for the plaintiff’s losses. Plus, the plaintiffs hired the defendant to photograph their wedding, but say the results were terrible. They claim the album was poorly done, a promised canvas portrait never arrived, and the defendant blamed his divorce, saying his wife stole the files. They are suing for a refund. The defendant insists he delivered both the album and the canvas print and fulfilled the terms of their agreement, so he owes nothing. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says he paid for a cruise for the defendant, his longtime friend, and now she refuses to reimburse him for the expenses he covered. He believes she effectively stole from him and is suing to recover the money he’s owed. The defendant says the plaintiff gave her a charge card to the cabin and told her it was no big deal whether she paid him back or not. She claims the plaintiff defecated on himself during the trip, smeared it on the walls and doorknob, and they had to change rooms. After that, she cut off contact. She is countersuing for emotional distress. Then, the plaintiff says he and the defendant, both contractors, were working on the same job when the defendant knocked over his laser leveler and broke it. He is suing for the cost of the damaged equipment. The defendant says the laser was sitting on a wobbly table and fell while he was carrying wood nearby. He admits it now has a small crack on the readout window but insists the device still works and the damage likely preexisted the incident. He believes the plaintiff is trying to take advantage of the situation. Plus, the plaintiff says the defendant rented an apartment from him but backed out the next day and canceled her check. She later changed her mind again and agreed to proceed with the rental, at which point he required a cashier’s check. He is suing for one month’s lost rent. The defendant says she was concerned her elderly aunt wouldn’t be able to manage the stairs in the unit, which prompted her hesitation. She claims she communicated clearly throughout and does not believe she owes anything, as the plaintiff quickly found another tenant and suffered no financial loss. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says the defendant hired him after Hurricane Sandy to help build modular homes but shorted him on his pay. He’s suing for the remaining wages. The defendant claims the plaintiff was verbally abusive, struggled with roofing tasks, and required additional training. He also says the plaintiff agreed to a set price but is now demanding more. Then, the plaintiff says she and the defendant are both caretakers who shared the same client, and whenever one wasn’t available, the other would cover their shift. She claims the defendant went on vacation and she worked four of the defendant’s shifts, but the defendant was still paid for those days. She’s suing to recover the missing wages. The defendant says they had an agreement where she would owe the plaintiff four days of work in exchange and was available to cover whenever needed, but the plaintiff never asked her to do so. Plus, the plaintiff says he rented an apartment from the defendant, but it turned out to be unsafe. He claims the unit had a mold infestation, his daughter injured her foot on broken bathroom tiles, and after four months of issues, he gave notice and moved out. He’s suing for the return of his security deposit. The defendant says the plaintiff broke his one-year lease by leaving early, and when he vacated the apartment, he left garbage behind and had spray-painted the walls black. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says he tried to help a woman who was being attacked by a dog, but when he intervened, he fell and the dog bit him. He had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance and is now suing the defendant, whom he believes owns the dog, for medical bills. The defendant insists it wasn’t her dog that bit the plaintiff. Then, the plaintiff says she was driving through the parking lot of a Social Security office when her car hit a large pothole, tearing off the entire front end. Because the defendant owns the property, she’s suing him for the cost of the damages. The defendant argues that the plaintiff never reported the incident at the time and never contacted police. He believes she likely hit a curb and is now trying to blame him for something he isn’t responsible for. Plus, the plaintiff says she cared for the defendants’ two children and claims they were consistently late on tuition payments and tardy with pickups. She says she had to terminate their child care contract and is suing for the money she’s still owed. The defendants say they were blindsided by the lawsuit and argue that the plaintiff’s services were substandard. They claim their son would come home with dog feces from playing in the backyard, and their daughter often had a soaked diaper and diaper rash. They say the plaintiff had too many children and too many pets, which is why they withdrew their kids. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says she went to the defendant’s salon for hair extensions, and after six and a half hours in the chair, her hair looked like a mullet and the extensions didn’t even match her natural color. She is suing for a refund. The defendant, who says she has 12 years of experience, claims she installed 140 extensions as requested. When the plaintiff asked for even more to make her hair look thicker, the defendant explained there would be an additional charge. She says the plaintiff then became upset and demanded a full refund. The defendant is countersuing for the remaining balance owed for her services. Plus, the plaintiffs say the defendant’s pit bull broke through their back door, entered their home, and killed their dog. They claim the defendant admitted full responsibility to the authorities and promised to pay for their losses, but never did. They are suing for compensation. The defendant says she feels terrible about what happened but claims the plaintiff ripped open her car door in a rage, screaming threats in front of her child. She says she had to move out of fear for her safety and believes her moving expenses cancel out any money she owed. Then, the plaintiff says he hired the defendant to move his belongings, but the defendant damaged his motorcycle in the process. After getting a repair estimate and informing the defendant, he was ignored. He is suing for the cost of repairs. The defendant claims the damage occurred when the bike became unstrapped and tipped over during a move from Orlando to New Jersey. He admits to about $150 worth of damage but believes the plaintiff is inflating the claim and trying to get him to pay for previous damage by suing for $2,000. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says he moved into a home owned by the defendant and soon discovered it was infested with roaches that ruined his belongings. He’s suing for replacement costs. The defendant says the plaintiff had trouble paying rent, and when eviction proceedings began, the plaintiff fabricated the roach complaint. Then, the plaintiff says he bought a car from the defendant, insured it, and went to register it with the DMV, only to have the title confiscated for tampering. He says the DMV advised him to return the car. He’s suing for the cost of obtaining a new title. The defendant says he did nothing wrong and blames the plaintiff for not properly completing the title reassignment paperwork. Plus, the plaintiff says she purchased a seven-day European trip through the defendant’s travel agency and bought insurance. On the first day in Switzerland, she became very ill and had to return to New York. She says the travel insurance won’t reimburse her and is suing for the cost of the trip. The defendant says the plaintiff returned and complained about the cold weather. She argues that the plaintiff failed to submit a doctor’s note to the insurance company, resulting in a denied claim. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says he and his girlfriend rented an apartment from the defendant, who promised to clean the place and make repairs before they moved in, but she did not. They claim the apartment was infested with bugs and that the defendant ignored their requests for a refund. They are suing for the money they are owed. The defendant says she worked hard to accommodate the plaintiffs and spent significant time cleaning the apartment before the move-in date. Then, out of nowhere, the plaintiffs texted her saying they weren’t moving in and wanted their deposit back. She says that when she refused, the plaintiffs threatened to blackmail her. She is countersuing for legal fees and early termination charges. Then, the plaintiff says he bought a car from the defendant, but when he brought it in for inspection, he was told it was undriveable due to a front-end issue. He’s suing for a refund. The defendants say the plaintiff didn’t contact them until 15 days after the sale. They argue too much time had passed and anything could have happened to the car while it was in the plaintiff’s possession. Plus, the plaintiff says she hired the defendant, a real estate broker, to help her find an apartment. Two months after she moved in, the unit was inspected and found to be illegal, forcing her out. She says the defendant refused to refund the broker fee. She’s suing for a refund. The defendant, who claims to have 35 years of experience, says the plaintiff was evicted for nonpayment of rent after a dispute with the landlord and that he did nothing wrong. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The plaintiff says the defendant, his coworker and roommate, owes him six months’ rent. He is suing for the unpaid amount. The defendant claims the plaintiff was a belligerent drunk and made the living situation intolerable. He says he doesn’t owe a cent. The plaintiff says he was driving his wife to work when the defendant rear-ended them. His son had to be taken to the hospital, and the defendant allegedly promised to pay for the damages and medical bills, but now refuses. He is suing for those costs. The defendant says it was his employee who was driving the car and that the incident was just a tap to the bumper. They claim the plaintiff’s vehicle already had prior damage they are now being unfairly blamed for. The plaintiff says he bought a pickup truck from the defendant, but soon discovered the engine was bad. He is suing for a refund. The defendant says he took the truck back and gave the plaintiff a discount on another vehicle as a trade-in, and therefore owes nothing. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says the defendant, his former friend, stole his phone from him. He has since filed a criminal case against the defendant and is suing him now for the cost of the phone. The defendant says he told the plaintiff where his phone was so he wouldn’t forget it, then the next day, he accused him of stealing it. Then, the plaintiff says she rented an apartment from the defendant, but when she moved out, he kept a portion of her security deposit to pay for damages that already existed when she moved in. She is suing for the amount she believes she’s owed. The defendant says the plaintiff left the apartment filthy and that he had to hire a crew to clean and prep it for the next tenants. Plus, the plaintiff says she hired a party bus from the defendant, but when it arrived, it was just a regular coach bus. The defendant admitted the mistake and promised to send a proper party bus another day. However, when the plaintiff tried to reschedule, he told her it would cost $700 for gas and tolls. She’s suing for a refund. The defendant says it was prom night, the party bus fell through, and he had to scramble to find a replacement. He claims he provided a luxury coach bus with a dance floor, an upgrade from what was originally booked. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says her friend found a stray dog out in the cold on Christmas Eve and gave it to her to care for until the rightful owner came forward. After confirming the dog had no microchip, she decided to keep it rather than take it to a shelter. Weeks later, a young man approached her husband while he was walking the dog and claimed it was his, then took the dog without providing any proof of ownership. She’s suing for the money they spent caring for the animal. One of the defendants says she posted flyers in the neighborhood when her dog went missing and believes the plaintiffs stole it. Then, the plaintiff says he parked his car in a guest parking spot at his condominium complex and the defendant towed it. They’re supposed to place a sticker on the car warning him of an impending tow, but they didn’t. They still have his car, so he is suing. The defendants, representing the tow company and the condominium complex, say the car was tagged twice, alerting the plaintiff that they were going to tow the illegally parked car, but the plaintiff ignored their warnings. Plus, the plaintiff says he remodeled the defendant’s bathroom, but he was stiffed on the final payment. He is suing for the money owed. The defendant says the two-week job ended up taking three months and the job wasn’t completed to his satisfaction. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says he’s been a sneaker collector for years and owns several rare and valuable pairs. He claims the defendant, his sister, stole some of his most expensive sneakers. He’s suing for the value of the stolen items. The defendant says she and her older brother have never been close, but denies stealing his shoes. She’s countersuing for slander and defamation of character. Then, the plaintiff says he rented a room from the defendant, but the defendant complained that there was too much noise coming from his room when his girlfriend was over. He agreed to move out early, but claims the defendant bounced his refund check. He’s suing for the return of the money he’s owed. The defendant argues that the plaintiff broke their three-month lease agreement by moving out early and, as a result, he’s not entitled to any refund. Plus, the plaintiff says he brought his car to the defendant’s shop to have the fender repaired. He claims the defendant’s team backed the car into something, causing more damage, then kept the vehicle for months and ultimately did a poor repair job. He’s suing for the cost of additional repairs. The defendant says they fixed the fender, but one of his employees accidentally sideswiped the car with a tow truck, prompting additional repairs. He claims they covered the cost of the plaintiff’s extended rental and that the car was in mint condition when it left the shop. He says he doesn’t understand why he’s being sued. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says the defendant, an old friend, brokered a car sale on his behalf but pulled a switcheroo at the last minute. He believed he was buying a 1998 Pontiac, but when he received the title, it turned out to be a 1994. The defendant refuses to return the money, so the plaintiff is suing for a refund. Then, the plaintiff says the defendant, her former landlord, abruptly told her to vacate the property without explanation. When she asked for her security deposit back, he refused. She’s suing for the return of that deposit. The defendant says the plaintiff was a messy tenant and he no longer wanted her in the unit. He claims she left behind 30 large bags of garbage and caused significant damage to the apartment. Plus, the plaintiff says he was riding his motorcycle when the defendant’s dog suddenly charged at him. He struck the dog, flipped over, and suffered cracked ribs. He says he’s lucky to be alive. The police issued the defendant a ticket for having an unleashed dog. After sending a letter requesting compensation and receiving no response, he’s now suing for damages. The defendant says the dog reacted to the sound of the motorcycle and ran toward it. He claims the plaintiff accelerated rather than slowing down, which is why the collision occurred. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says he was driving his dump truck when it died in the middle of the road. The police called the defendant to tow the vehicle, and he later presented the plaintiff with a $750 bill. The plaintiff says the tow was only 10 miles and is suing for lost wages and legal fees. The defendant says his driver charged $200 for the emergency tow, but the plaintiff offered only $100. When his driver refused the partial payment, he informed the plaintiff the vehicle would be taken back to the shop, which would cost another $200. He claims the plaintiff later showed up at the shop, became aggressive, and was arrested after police were called. Then, the plaintiff says he was hired to dig a water well on the defendant’s property. He drilled and dug the well, but no water was found. He claims the defendant accused him of drilling in the wrong spot and refused to pay. He is suing for unpaid services. The defendant says he marked the spot with a stake after using a dozer to locate water, but the plaintiff drilled about five feet away from the mark. He argues that the plaintiff failed to drill in the correct location, didn’t find water, and won’t be paid until he does. Plus, the plaintiff says she agreed to rent a room in the defendant’s home but changed her mind before moving in. She claims the defendant promised to refund her deposit, but he hasn’t, so she’s suing. The defendant says the plaintiff and her girlfriend gave him the money to hold the room. A few days later, she backed out, began making threats, and even involved the police. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says she hired the defendant to repair her refrigerator, but he failed to fix it and left two large holes in her kitchen. She’s suing for the cost of repairs. The defendant says he advised her to replace the refrigerator entirely, but she insisted on a repair. He claims she agreed to let him cut holes in the wall to vent a new compressor. Then, one of the plaintiffs says she went to an out-of-town wedding for the weekend, and when she returned, there was a large hole in her front door, the lock was missing, and notices indicated that the defendant, their landlord, needed access to the unit. The plaintiffs claim they were effectively evicted and are suing for the return of their security deposit and travel-related damages. The defendant says the plaintiffs left the apartment a mess and is countersuing for window repairs. Plus, the plaintiff says she was driving near her local country club when she suddenly heard a loud clunk. Her windshield had been shattered by a golf ball. She says she tried calling the defendant several times to settle the issue, but he ignored her. She’s suing for the cost of repairs. The defendant says he would take responsibility, but there’s no proof he was the one who hit the ball. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says he was hired as a dishwasher at the defendant’s restaurant and was never paid. He’s suing for unpaid wages. The defendant, the shop manager, claims he paid the plaintiff in cash, but the plaintiff threw the money in his face. Then, the plaintiff says the defendant, a dog groomer, cut her dog so deeply that it required stitches at the vet. She claims the defendant blamed her when she called to complain. She’s suing for vet bills and punitive damages. The defendant says the dog was in terrible condition when brought in, but she groomed him well and saw no injuries at pickup. She claims the plaintiff didn’t complain until four days later. The defendant is countersuing for lost wages. Plus, the plaintiffs say they rented rooms in the defendant’s boarding house, but the conditions were a nightmare, especially the faulty electricity. They’re suing for return of their rent and security deposit. The defendant claims the plaintiffs were caught stealing electricity from other tenants, and when he stopped them, they retaliated by moving out. He also accuses them of burning carpet, breaking a window, and damaging the refrigerator. He’s countersuing for property damage. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First, the plaintiff says he’s known the defendant since birth and believed in his musical talent. He claims he built a home studio and signed the defendant to a recording deal, but the defendant skipped sessions and acted unprofessionally. He’s suing to recoup his investment. The defendant says the plaintiff was his manager and failed to promote him properly. He claims the sessions were poorly managed and all his songs came out horribly. Then, the plaintiff says he’s known the defendant for 30 years and brought his motorcycle to his shop for repair. He claims the defendant failed to add transmission oil, ruining it completely. He’s suing for the cost of a new transmission and labor. The defendant, a mechanic for 40 years, says he never touched the transmission and blames the plaintiff for rushing the pickup. He’s shocked to be sued by a longtime friend. Plus, the plaintiff says he bought the defendant’s condo, and the contract stated that a built-in wall unit and two matching nightstands were included. They were present during the walk-through but missing when he moved in. He’s suing for the value of the items. The defendant says her broker told her the buyer wanted to purchase the built-ins after the sale, but his offer was too low, so she declined and kept them. Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices