After your trial: appeal or pay

Your options

After you receive the Notice of Entry of Judgment (forms SC-130 or SC-200) you can:

• Ask for a new trial (appeal) or to cancel (vacate) the judge's decision
• Pay the other side
• Give the other side information about what you earn or own

If you don't appeal (or vacate) or pay after 30 days, the other side can start to try to collect money from you. 

If you want a new trial 

You can appeal if you went to the trial, the judge decided you owe money, and you want a new trial

A small claims appeal is a new trial where a different judge decides the case. You and the other side can have a lawyer at the court date.

How to appeal

You can ask to cancel the judge's decision if you didn't go to the trial

If the judge cancels the decision, it doesn't mean you win the case. It means you have a new trial.

How to vacate

If you don't appeal or vacate: pay what you owe

If you don't appeal or ask to vacate, what you owe is due right away

Pay right away if you can. You will owe interest on any amount you don't pay.

If you pay the full amount, the other side must file an Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Judgment (form SC-290). This is like a receipt of payment and lets the court know you paid the debt. 

If you don't pay the full amount

• You will owe interest on any amount you don't pay.
• The other side can ask to have the money come out of your pay or bank accounts, or they can take things you own after asking the court’s permission.
• The fact that there’s a judgment against you and that you owe money may show up on your credit report.
• If the case is about a car accident in California, the DMV can suspend your driver’s license.

You must tell the other side about what you earn and own

• Fill out and mail the other side a Judgment Debtor’s Statement of Assets (form SC-133). 

This tells the other side what you earn and own that could be used to pay them. If you don't send this within 30 days, the other side could ask the court to make you pay a fine.