TV’s ‘People’s Court’ Loses in Real Trial

The producers of the television show “People’s Court,” who have dispensed justice daily in their televised courtroom for eight years, are tasting the frustration that can come from being in front of--rather than behind-- the judicial bench.

A real Small Claims Court judge has ruled that Ralph Edwards Productions must pay Louis De George, 62, of Van Nuys, $1,500--even though he lost his case when he appeared on “People’s Court” in February.

“Our reaction is the same as some of the reactions of the people who walk out of our courtroom--disbelief,” said Phillip Vandervort, associate producer of the show.

De George took “People’s Court” to court last week because he felt that he was misled when he agreed to appear on the show. De George said he was told that regardless of the ruling by “People’s Court” Judge Joseph Wapner, who presides over the court-like proceedings, he would receive a $250 appearance fee plus the $1,500 in damages he was seeking from his landlord.

But the show’s policy is to guarantee damage payments only to litigants who win their cases, Vandervort said. Wapner ruled that De George had insufficient evidence to prove that his apartment manager’s 11-year-old son smashed the rear-view mirror on De George’s pickup truck and regularly played on the vehicle despite warnings not to.

Five months later, however, De George had sufficient evidence to convince Los Angeles Municipal Court Commissioner Linda Elliott that the show’s producers had misrepresented their payment policy to him.

In court, De George played a taped message left on his answering machine by a “People’s Court” researcher, Richard Velasquez, who regularly scanned small claims suits filed downtown in search of interesting cases. On the tape, Velasquez, who no longer works for the show but appeared in court as a witness, promised “a guaranteed $1,500 as well as $250” if De George appeared on the show.

“Richard left out the words ‘if you win,’ ” Vandervort said.

Despite four witnesses from Ralph Edwards Productions who said they clearly explained the policy in subsequent meetings, Elliott ruled that De George was entitled to the $1,500.

Although she scanned copies of the contracts De George and other litigants sign before appearing, the judge said they were confusing and did not clarify the policy.

Plaintiff Elated

“I was elated,” said De George, who was notified of his victory by mail Tuesday. “They are big shots in the movie industry and television industry, so this was really like David against Goliath.”

Vandervort said the show’s producers are deciding whether they will appeal.

“People’s Court” is not a legal court of law. Although Wapner was an appointed judge, he is retired and on the program acts only as an arbitrator. When litigants appear on the program, they sign contracts agreeing not to take their cases to a real court afterward.

Plaintiffs as well as defendants receive the $250 appearance fee. The producers pay the damages if the plaintiff wins, freeing the defendants of financial responsibility.