Q: Civil Court: Rules, liabilities, and what to expect?
In August of last year my parents went to visit my aunt. During this visit my parents dog, along with 2 other dogs got into a neighboring pasture and killed a goat, but it is unknown which dog did the most damage to the goat.
My mom was called to court via the D.A. filing, and the court appointed attorney contacted the goat owner with an offer to pay for the goat, which at the time wasn't accepted.
My mom was told to pay a fine for the courts of $500 and was placed on "probation" for 3 years per the judge. The other party (with the other dogs) were never called into accountability, just my mom, and at this time the goat owners' are bringing her back to court for a civil case & seeking $1,000 restituition.
What can we expect from this and should she hire a lawyer? Can punitive damages come at a later later, or is restitution the final outcome of this case?
A:
This is a humorous read. So, your sister and her dog were visited by your mom? Your mom went into the pasture and killed the goat? Really? That's what you indicate. You should go back and rewrite your question.
The answers to your three questions are
1. Yes unless they neighbors filed in small claims court.
2. The neighbors were never obligated to accept an offer.
3. Yes because they have the burden of proof. Who owned the other two dogs, because you may be putting this on them.
Are you sure this is not a law student playing a prank, I had to ask myself when I read it. Sounds like it.
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