Small claims?

[Need4Speed1299]

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with small claims court. Im 21 years old and have never been put in this situation. I talked to the police, and they told me its a civil issue and I would need to take him to small claims. Here is the story.

I HAD a friend(+3 years) that needed some money to pay for rent, otherwise he would be kicked out. Since it was $500, I wrote up a contract and we both signed and dated it. A month goes by and he doesnt have my money on the due date. I told him that if he doesnt pay me soon, I would take him to small claims. Another month goes by and he gives me NO contact, I call the court and they tell me there is a $95 fee for opening up the claim. What a shitty friend right?

So here are my questions.
Should I pay the $95 to open the claim?
If I win, would I be entitled to get the $95 back?
Is there anything else I should know about the process?

Here is some info Ive been reading.

http://www.wicourts.gov/about/pubs/circuit/smallclaimsguide.htm

[Danny]

Yeah you can sue him for court fees.

[MrSlacker]

You can sue him and get a judgment in your favor, but doesn't sound like you will be able to collect the money.
Court will basically tell him to pay up and he will say that he doesn't have any money to pay you. They will give him some time to come up with money. Then you will need to go to court again and see if they can take money out of his paycheck or his bank account. If he doesn't get paid on the books, they can try to get his physical assets.
This judgment will be on his credit history, but won't really do anything to him. They are not going to put him to jail for not paying you back.

This is a really shitty situation and almost a lose-lose any way you look at it.

[blunttech]

do it. He wont pay you but their will be a judgment placed against him. They wont go after his belongings or anything like that. youll eventually get your money. It may take years but once he files for a loan of any decent amount he will need to pay you before the loan will be granted. It will take a long time but youll get your loot

[TheEtaUnderdog]

blunt is correct on that.

Talk to Jean about small claims court, he's been on the Judy

[Need4Speed1299]

Haha, I remember seeing that around 6 months ago? I wonder if Judy would take my case. I would have to get drunker than Jean.

[xwill112x]

just go to his house and be like "bro, i fucking hooked you up, how you going to do me like this??" if he doesnt pay up, tell his landlord, and im sure the landlord wont be pleased.

gah i fucking hate shitty friends and situations like this.

[Sailor37]

I say do it...teach the little fugger a lesson.

[Van Westervelt]

Do it. Then fuck his mom.

[Raxe]

Break his legs.

[ak-]

Touch his nose.

[accident]

Rape his goat

[pureaudio]

fuck his mom.