The People’s Court Podcast

First, the plaintiff and defendant used to be in a relationship, and they lived together. The plaintiff says she bought a car and her ex-boyfriend took it after a few weeks. He sped over train tracks and the car went flying, causing the car to break down. She says the defendant refuses to pay her, so she’s suing for damages. The defendant argues they bought the car together. He claims the plaintiff is holding his belongings hostage and caused him to get fired. Then, the plaintiff hired the defendant to refinish his wood floors. He claims the defendant completely botched the job, so he’s suing for a refund, damages, and the cost of new flooring. The defendant argues he has been doing floors for 25 years, and the plaintiff is just one of those customers who is never happy. Plus, the plaintiff rented a house from the defendant. She says the place smelled like cat urine because the previous tenant was a cat hoarder who had 60 felines. The plaintiff claims the defendant won’t return her security deposit, so she’s suing. The defendant argues the plaintiff complained about problems from the start. He claims the plaintiff left the house a mess when she moved out, so he has every right to hold her security deposit. 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 is a cab driver who took the defendant home one night. He says the defendant was drunk and didn’t pay when he got out. The plaintiff kept the defendant’s phone as collateral and ran after him, but then the defendant beat him up. He’s suing for the cost of new teeth, lost wages, and emotional distress. The defendant argues he tried to pay with a credit card, but the driver demanded cash. He says he asked the plaintiff to wait while he got cash, but then the plaintiff ran after him. He claims he was defending himself. Then, the plaintiff purchased a leather couch from the defendant’s store, but now but cushions are starting to peel. He says he took the cushion to an upholsterer, who told him it wasn’t actually leather. He’s suing for a refund. The defendant argues he special-ordered the couch for the plaintiff. Plus, the plaintiff bought it five years prior to the lawsuit. He doesn’t issue refunds, so he’s not giving the plaintiff one. Plus, the plaintiff asked the defendant to pick her up in her car, but then the defendant hit a brick wall and a woman. She says she is having problems collecting damages from the defendant, so she’s suing for the cost of the car. The defendant argues she panicked because the plaintiff yelled at her and put her dog in the backseat. She thinks the accident was the plaintiff’s fault because she distracted her. 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 is a voiceover actress. She says the defendant used her voice in an ad, but he never paid her, so she’s suing. The defendant admits he asked the plaintiff to be in his commercial. He says he told the defendant he couldn’t pay her for this commercial, but he would pay her for the next one. Then, the plaintiff purchased an English bulldog puppy from the defendant’s shop. She says her puppy was extremely sick when she brought her home, so she rushed the dog to the hospital. The plaintiff claims the dog was not fit to come home because she was still sick. She’s suing for vet bills. The defendant argues his vet gave the dog a clean bill of health, so he doesn’t owe. Then, the plaintiff was parking his car in a lot near his office when an attendant driving the defendant’s car hit him. He claims the parking attendant tried to fight him, but all he wants is for the defendant who allowed the attendant to park her car to pay up. She argues there’s no damage to the car, so she doesn’t owe. 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 has known the defendant for 25 years, and because the defendant works at a car dealership, she asked the defendant to help her get car insurance. She paid the defendant because he said he would help her out, but then the DMV demanded she turn in her plates for lack of insurance. She claims the defendant scammed her, so she’s suing. The defendant argues he charges a fee, but he referred her to the broker. Then, the plaintiff hired the defendant to take photographs and videos at his daughter’s Sweet 16. He claims the pictures were all dark and blurry, and when he asked the defendant about it, he started avoiding him. The plaintiff is suing for his money back, harassment, and emotional distress. The defendant argues he did a great job. He provided the plaintiff with 200 photos, but it’s not his job to do the editing. Plus, the plaintiff hired the defendant to refurbish a staircase at a residential building he bought. He claims the defendant did the work incorrectly and never filed permits. He’s suing for damages. The defendant argues the plaintiff told him he didn’t need a permit, and if it was, the plaintiff should have done it. He’s countersuing for unpaid labor and materials. 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 asked the defendant to watch her dog for a few weeks because she needed to pay her pet deposit. She claims the defendant not only refuses to return the pet, but she even gave it to her stepsister, who changed the dog’s name. The plaintiff claims the defendant and the woman’s stepsister won’t give her the dog back, so she’s suing for the cost of the dog. The defendant argues the plaintiff couldn’t take care of the dog, now he’s in a better home with her stepsister. Then, the plaintiff parked her car on the street and claims the defendant crashed into her vehicle in the early hours of the morning. She says the defendant told her the car was stolen, but the plaintiff thinks the defendant did it and is making it an excuse. She’s suing for the cost of the car. The defendant argues her car was stolen and involved in an accident. She says she wasn’t anywhere near the area when the crash happened. She doesn’t think she owes. Plus, the plaintiff rented the defendant’s home for 12 years. She says the defendant kicked her out because she wanted to sell the residence, but the defendant refuses to return her security deposit. She’s suing for double the security deposit, interest, and reimbursement on repairs. The defendant argues the plaintiff moved out two months earlier than she was supposed to and didn’t tell anyone. She’s countersuing for a water bill. 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, a married couple, purchased a couch from the defendant. They claim the couch wasn’t authentic leather like they ordered, so they asked for a refund. The plaintiffs say the defendant agreed to give them their money back, but now he won’t, so they’re suing. The defendant argues he brought the furniture to the plaintiffs’ house so they could get a feel for it, but it’s not his fault the couple couldn’t decide what they wanted. He says he never offered a refund. Then, the plaintiffs purchased a car from the defendant. They say the car had a broken steering wheel, and they’re just lucky to be alive. The plaintiffs are suing for the cost of the vehicle. The defendant argues he offered them an upgrade when they returned the first car. He says the plaintiffs destroyed the steering arm, and it’s not his fault. Plus, the plaintiff bought a French bulldog from the defendant. When he brought the dog home, he found out it had a UTI and the deadly virus parvo. The plaintiff took the puppy to the animal hospital, so now he’s suing for vet bills. The defendant doesn’t think she’s responsible because the dog had a clean bill of health when it left her house. 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 bought a German shepherd puppy from the defendants’ pet store. The dog got sick and learned it had a congenital defect. She’s suing for vet bills, the cost of the puppy, and dog supplies. The defendants argue the plaintiff demanded a dog for free and caused a scene in their store. Then, the plaintiff rented an illegal apartment from the defendant. She says her former landlord gave her 72 hours to vacate and even turned off her electricity, which ruined a fridge full of food. The plaintiff is suing for expenses for illegal evictions. The defendant argues he gave the plaintiff leeway when she fell behind on rent. He’s countersuing for late fees, electric bills, stealing his trailer, and a garbage truck. Plus, the plaintiff’s car was parked in a lot when she claims the defendant damaged her car while he was installing a car seat. She’s suing for the cost of the damages. The defendant argues the plaintiff claimed out of nowhere that he nicked her car, but he knows he didn’t. He said the plaintiff’s car has scratches all over the place, so he thinks the plaintiff is just pinning all the damage on him. 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 rented an apartment to the defendant. They claim the plaintiff threw parties and left garbage everywhere. The plaintiffs say the defendant is trying to use the security deposit to pay for her last month’s rent. They’re suing for rent and additional expenses. The defendant argues the plaintiffs were always at her apartment, and she didn’t enjoy that. She’s countersuing for overpayment of rent. Then, the plaintiff wrote a book and hired the defendant to edit and publish her book. She claims the defendant is a liar and did nothing for her. She’s suing for her money back and lost wages in book sales. The defendant argues he is an award-winning book publisher who has been doing this for decades. He says he printed and delivered the books to her, so he doesn’t owe her. Plus, the plaintiff left his Kia at the defendant’s repair shop as collateral for a Jeep he bought from the defendant. He says the defendant sold his Kia behind his back. He’s suing for the cost of the Kia. The defendant argues the plaintiff brought the Kia in for repairs, but the car wasn’t even worth fixing. He told the plaintiff he had 30 days to get the Kia off his lot, and he has no idea what happened to the car. He’s countersuing for the remaining balance of the Jeep. 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 and defendant have known each other since high school, and they dated for a while. He was driving the defendant’s car and got pulled over for illegally tinted windows, and he got a ticket for it. He claims his ex-girlfriend, the defendant, told him she would pay for the ticket fines, but she never did. His license got suspended and he was pulled from her insurance policy, so he’s suing. The defendant argues she never said she would cover the ticket costs. Then, the plaintiff brings his younger brother to court. Their other brother died, so the plaintiff paid for the defendant’s plane ticket to attend the funeral in Ecuador. The plaintiff says his brother hasn’t paid him back, so he’s suing. The defendant argues the ticket was a gift and he never agreed to pay. Plus, the plaintiff rented a room from the defendant after Hurricane Sandy left him homeless. He claims the defendant didn’t tell the other tenants that he had a dog, and she threatened to throw him out. He claims he refused to leave, so she shut off his utilities and threw trash all over his room. He’s suing for relocation costs. The defendant argues the plaintiff was disrespectful and other tenants moved out because of him. 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 is a real estate agent who rented a store to the defendant. He says the defendant owes him a commission for the deal, so he’s suing. The defendant argues the entire lawsuit is pointless and he doesn’t owe a penny. Then, the plaintiffs purchased an Italian leather couch from the defendant. They say the couch that got delivered to them was cheap vinyl, so they want a refund. The defendant argues the plaintiffs got the couch they ordered. He thinks they’re the type of people who will never be pleased. He doesn’t offer store refunds, either. Plus, the plaintiff says her son got a ride home with the defendant. It was rainy that day, and the defendant lost control of car and crashed into a tree. The plaintiff’s son was taken to the hospital, so the plaintiff wants the defendant to cover the hospital bills. The defendant argues the plaintiff’s son begged him not to put his name on the police report. 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 lived in the defendant’s house for four years, and when she reported him for no heat and a roach and rat infestation, he evicted her. She is suing for moving expenses. The defendant says the plaintiff was far from an ideal tenant, claiming she was mean to other residents, careless with hot plates, and behind on bills, making it impossible for him to pay his own. He says he owes her nothing. Then, the plaintiff says he was taking his mother to get her nails done and was waiting for a parking space when the defendant backed into his car. He says they exchanged information, he got an estimate, and later received a call from the defendant’s partner accusing him of running a scam. He is suing for damages. The defendant says she looked both ways while backing out and heard only a small thud. She claims the plaintiff pulled up behind her without warning and billed her nearly $2,000, even though she doesn’t believe his old car is worth that much. She is countersuing for lost wages. Then, the plaintiff says she went to the defendant’s salon to get her hair braided, but it was done so tightly that she was in excruciating pain and developed bald spots. She is suing for the cost to repair the damage. The defendant says the plaintiff went to his girlfriend for a sew-in and left happy. He claims he didn’t know there was an issue until he was served with the lawsuit and doubts she had a real problem at all, arguing she would have complained if she did. He is countersuing for defamation. 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, her sister, owes her money for several loans she made. She is suing for the amount owed. The defendant says she doesn’t owe her sister anything and claims the plaintiff is only upset because she’s gotten closer to another sister. Then, the plaintiff says he planned to rent a room in the defendant’s home but never moved in and now can’t get his deposit back. He is suing for the return of his deposit. The defendant says the plaintiff agreed to rent a room and pay an extra $100 a month because he had a large dog. A few days later, the plaintiff told him he was looking at other places because the price was too high. The defendant argues that deposits are nonrefundable, and that’s the end of it. Plus, the plaintiff says she hired the defendant to install an awning on her deck and that he guaranteed both the workmanship and the fabric for 10 years. One year later, she says, the awning collapsed, and when she called him to fix it under warranty, he refused. She is suing for a refund. The defendant says he custom builds every awning and stands by his work. He claims he warned the plaintiff not to leave the awning up all winter, but she ignored him. After a two-foot snowstorm, it gave way and collapsed. 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 hired the defendant, an attorney, to resolve an issue with his co-op board, but the defendant quit before finishing the job. He is suing for the return of the fees he paid. The defendant says the plaintiff was being fined $27,000 for illegal construction in his apartment and that he was hired to negotiate on his behalf. He claims he reached a settlement for $5,000, but the plaintiff refused to accept it, leaving nothing more he could do to resolve the case. Then, the plaintiff says the defendant, the mother of his children, owes him for a car she bought from him. He is suing for the cost of the car and for pain and suffering. The defendant says the plaintiff was caught racing the car with stolen license plates, had no driver’s license or insurance, and was arrested. She says that after he was released, he told her she could have the car if she paid the penalties, which she did. The defendant claims they had a deal, but the plaintiff is now changing his story because she’s pursuing him for child support. Plus, the plaintiff says he was hired to paint the interior of the defendant’s home and that she was pleased with his work. He claims she later asked him to do additional painting but never paid him for it. He is suing for the amount owed. The defendant says she hired a contractor who subcontracted the plaintiff to paint her house and insists she has no knowledge of the agreement between them. 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 are technically cousins but were raised like brother and sister. In 2010, the defendant was arrested and jailed, and he asked her for money because his wife had left him and his children refused to speak to him. Feeling sorry for him, she gave him money to hire a lawyer. The defendant has repeatedly promised to repay her but never has, so she is suing for the money owed. The defendant says he told the plaintiff he wouldn’t be able to repay her because he was paying child support. He claims she told him not to worry about the money but became angry when he was released from jail and started spending time with his new girlfriend. Then, the plaintiff says she was driving on a one-lane road when the impatient defendant tried to pass her on the right and hit her car. She claims he then offered her $100 to keep her from calling the police, but her friend called anyway. She is suing for the cost of the damages. The defendant says the plaintiff was the one who hit him as he waited to make a right turn in the designated lane. He claims she’s a scammer or just after money. Plus, the plaintiff says she rented an apartment from the defendant, and after a fire broke out in a neighboring unit, her apartment was destroyed. She says she was forced to live in a hotel before finding a new place to move into and expected the defendant to return her security deposit, but he hasn’t. She is suing for the deposit and rent. The defendant says the fire also damaged his property, and the city shut it down until repairs could be made. He claims the plaintiff told him she planned to move back in but then changed her mind. 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 lived in the defendant’s family home for two years and were excellent tenants who always paid rent on time and helped shovel snow. They were shocked when the defendant refused to return their security deposit, so they are suing for its return. The defendant says she told the plaintiffs they could store tools for free in a closet if they helped with snow removal, but they never did. She also claims they left the apartment filthy and that she had to scrub it clean. The defendant is countersuing for storage fees and additional cleaning costs. Then, the plaintiff says she brought her 52-inch flat-screen TV to the defendant’s shop for repair, but not only did they fail to fix it, they lost it. She is suing for the value of the TV. The defendants say the screen was cracked because one of the plaintiff’s children threw something at it. They admit there was an initial delay getting a replacement screen, but say they eventually secured one. They claim they called the plaintiff for approval to proceed with repairs, but she never responded, changed her number, and left the TV set at the shop for nearly a year. The defendants are countersuing for storage fees and lost wages. Plus, the plaintiff says he rented an RV for a family vacation that started in Florida and ended in Indiana. He claims he returned the vehicle to the defendant in pristine condition, but the defendant withheld his security deposit. He is suing for the return of the deposit. The defendant says the RV was not returned in the same condition, claiming one of the tanks was left full of sewage, which he had to clean himself, and that dead mosquitoes covered the front grille. He says he kept the deposit to cover the cleanup. 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 sold his electric drum set to the defendant and set up a payment plan, but the defendant made only one payment. He claims the defendant later sent him a letter stating the drum set was a gift. The plaintiff is suing for the remaining balance. The defendant says the plaintiff got a new drum set and dropped off the old one at his house, saying, “How many buddies do you know who would give you a drum set like this?” He claims he offered to return the drums because he never agreed to pay for them, but the plaintiff refused to take them back. Then, the plaintiff says her van was damaged while in the storage lot of the defendant’s towing business, so she is suing for the cost of repairs. The defendant says the plaintiff abandoned the nonrunning van on private property and that it was already damaged when she came to pick it up. Plus, the plaintiff says she rented an apartment from the defendant, who refuses to return her security deposit. Because he failed to return it within 30 days, she is suing for double the original amount. The defendant says the plaintiff left the apartment in shambles, so he kept the deposit to cover the damages. 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 rented her apartment to the defendant, her daughter and her fiancé, to give them a nice place to raise her grandchildren. She claims they have been disrespectful and stopped paying rent, so she is suing for the money owed. The defendants say the apartment was infested with rats and that the plaintiff did nothing to resolve it. They are countersuing for breach of a verbal agreement and emotional distress. Then, the plaintiff says he has been studying opera for about a year and hired the defendant to record a CD so he could review his voice and possibly sell the finished product. However, he says the recording quality was terrible, so he is suing for a refund. The defendant says the plaintiff is an amateur opera singer who booked the studio one hour at a time, expecting to produce an entire CD. When the arrangement became unworkable, he ended the session, and the plaintiff became angry. Plus, the plaintiff says he was about to pull into a parking space when the defendant sideswiped his car. He is suing for damages. The defendant claims the plaintiff was illegally double-parked and that he hit him only while trying to swerve around another 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 he bought what he believed was an authentic Gibson Les Paul guitar from the defendant’s pawn shop, but a few days later discovered it was a knockoff. When he confronted the defendant, the defendant didn’t seem to care and refused to refund his money. The plaintiff is suing for a refund. The defendant says he never told the plaintiff the guitar was a Les Paul and insists he’s not a guitar expert. Then, the plaintiff says he was coming home after a night out with his girlfriend when he parked his car and heard a loud bang. He discovered a pole sticking out of the street that tore his bumper clean off. He claims the defendant’s company had been doing work in the area and left a one-foot pole exposed without cones or any warning signs. He is suing for the cost of repairs. The defendant says he was hired by a private homeowner to fix a sinkhole in front of the house and that he clearly marked the area as a work zone. Plus, the plaintiffs are suing their landlord, the defendant, for the return of their security deposit. The defendant says the tenants gave her only three days’ notice before moving out. She is countersuing for back rent and additional damages. 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, her landlord, entered her apartment without permission and took her TV and some prescription bottles. Two days later, she moved out and is suing for her security deposit and rent. The defendant denies taking anything and says the plaintiff breached her one-year lease by moving out early. He is countersuing for unpaid rent. Then, the plaintiff says she was visiting her parents at their housing complex and parked in a legal visitor spot, but the defendant towed her car. She is suing to be reimbursed for the towing fees. The defendant says the plaintiff was not parked in a visitor space and that the tow was justified. Plus, the plaintiff says she and the defendant cleaned houses together, but the defendant failed to pay her in full for her work. She is suing for the remaining balance. The defendant says the plaintiff often arrived late, left early, and should be grateful for the pay she did receive, given her incomplete work. 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, 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