What Evidence and Testimony Becomes Part of the Public Record
My question involves small claims court in the state of: WA
I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, I just don't know how the system works. I'm considering taking a former roommate to small claims court to pay past due rent. I'd like to avoid that, but he's being so stupid about things I may not have a choice.
I know that some cases can go into public records. I don't know what will be discussed, and whether he'll decide to be a jerk and randomly drag my irrelevant medical history into things. If he does, however, does that mean it's going to go into some public record that anyone can look up the transcript from and see all the random things he'd say? Or would it just be a general outline of the case? If that's so, could I be a John Doe in that case for my privacy, or will my name forever be on this stupid small claims court record to look up? I recently found a lot of records of myself online, and the last thing I want is the first result for my name in Google popping up a random public record of me taking this guy to small claims court.
Re: What Goes into Public Records
No, you aren't going to be able to sue as a John Doe. Yes, everything will remain a part of the record unless WA has some mechanism to seal a court record or is stricken for some reason. Anyone so inclined would be able to read the whole thing although only an abstract is quickly available to someone not wanting to do any digging.
Re: What Goes into Public Records
In most states (you can investigate the procedures for your own) small claims courts do not record testimony.
Re: What Goes into Public Records
That's the way it is here in Arizona-the county superior court is the lowest court of record. Justice courts are courts of non-record. Washington state apparently defines small claims courts as Courts of Limited Jurisdiction. Just glancing over the Rules of Procedure, it appears that they may be courts of record as it appears that they require the electronic recording of court proceedings.