NORTH HILLS : Small Claims Court Moves to High School

It was a typical day in Small Claims Court.

A baby cried in the back row as dozens of participants waited for their cases to be called. Plaintiffs and defendants anticipated their opportunity to defend or decry unpaid loans, unreturned security deposits, unfinished work or outstanding bills.

It was typical except for one thing: location.

These small claims cases, from Van Nuys Municipal Court, were heard by Commissioner Kirkland Nyby on Wednesday at James Monroe High School.

It was the first time that a nearly full day of small claims cases was held at the North Hills school, in the courtroom built last year for the law and government magnet.

The courtroom, which administrators say is the only one of its kind in the state and one of only a handful in the country, will probably handle more small claims cases in the future as part of the 360-student magnet program.

The immaculate, wood-paneled courtroom was so authentic that the participants seemed to hardly notice that they were in a high school. About 80 magnet students watched from inside the courtroom, coming and going as the bell rang, and another 100 listened to the goings-on from a sound system in the next room.

Jerry Rosen of Tarzana, who was in court defending a case against his business--one of a few taken under advisement by the presiding commissioner--said it was refreshing to have the students watch.

“It’s good for them to see how the ‘People’s Court’ really works,” he said.

Mark Lally, co-chairman of Community Law Week of the Los Angeles County Bar Assn., which helped sponsor the event, said the best part about bringing the court to the students was that they were exposed to the reality of the system.

“There’s a lot of sensationalism and exaggeration about what lawyers deal with on a daily basis,” Lally said. “Unfortunately, the sensational ones are one in a million.”

Oliver Sanchez, a senior who hopes to become a corporate lawyer, said he was surprised only by the quickness and efficiency of the court.

“I didn’t think it would go that fast,” said Oliver, who saw about a dozen cases in less than an hour. “The judge kept calm and operated in a smooth way.”

Eric Miller, also a senior, said the proceedings made him proud.

“It’s exciting that our courtroom is good enough to host a real court,” he said.