If I lose my case in small claims court, can I appeal?
First, you can file a Notice of Motion and a written Motion to Reconsider before the Judge who heard the case and signed the judgment. You may use the forms for this purpose available on this website or at the Center for Self Representation or the Circuit Clerk’s office. You must ask the Circuit Clerk’s office to schedule a time and date for hearing on your Motion. A copy of your written Motion to Reconsider and the Notice of Motion (notifying the other party of the date you have scheduled with the clerk for hearing on your motion) must be mailed to the other parties in the case. Your motion should explain why the judgment was wrong based on the evidence presented at trial or the law.

You may appeal the judgment. A form Notice of Appeal is available on this website, at the Circuit Clerk’s office or at the Center for Self-Representation.

IMPORTANT: If you decide to appeal, you must file a Notice of Appeal in writing at the Circuit Clerk’s office within 30 days of the Judge’s decision.

If you decide to appeal without doing a Motion to Reconsider the judgment, you must file the Notice of Appeal within 30 days of the date of the judgment. If you decide to do a Motion to Reconsider, you must file the Notice of Appeal within 30 days of the judge’s decision on your Motion. The Circuit Clerk’s office will send the Notice of Appeal to the Appellate Court. There are very specific rules you need to follow in an appeal. You may want an attorney’s advice on whether and how to appeal. Unless excused, a bond is required to stop enforcement of a Judgment pending appeal. Filing an appeal does not automatically stop collection of the Judgment.

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1. Can any kind of case be resolved in small claims court?
2. Are there time limits in which a small claims court case must be filed?
3. How much can I sue for in small claims court?
4. Where should I file my small claims lawsuit?
5. What can I do to resolve my problem with out going to small claims court?
6. Will I get paid if I win the lawsuit?
7. If I'm sued in small claims court but the other party is really at fault, can I countersue?
8. What should I do to prepare my small claims case?
9. What's the best way to present my case to a judge?
10. Can I bring a lawyer to small claims court?
11. Will my witnesses need to testify in person in small claims court?
12. If I lose my case in small claims court, can I appeal?