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I was contacted by Judge Mathis' staff about being on their show yesterday for a small claims court case I filed and I'm wondering about opinions on whether it's a good idea or a terrible idea. Long story short here is my case: Towards the end of 2014 I tried to buy a gun off a guy online. None of the usual red flags were raised. Turns out he never had the gun and just took my money. Contacted the police and filed a lawsuit. Turns out several other people he took money from did the same. After the police searched his property and arrested him they found out that he had met a ~beautiful young white woman~ on an online dating site who was trapped in Africa with Ebola and needed to sell off guns to afford medicine. So "she" had him take the checks from people, cash them, and then Western Union the money to "her". You probably understand what is happening at this point. The guy that was the accomplice/patsy in all of this is a very overweight tattooed up man who has been on disability since before I was born. He has no job and no way to repay me the money he took from me and never will. If I win my small claims court judgement against him, I'll have to put a lien against his property and wait for him to pass away and hopefully I'll be able to collect it from his estate, but even that is iffy. Now I only sent him $520, and I've spent another $100 on court costs. I am not hurting for money in the least bit, and I'm basically just moving on with my life and waiting for a court date when Judge Mathis' staff reaches out to me yesterday. Their thing, if you aren't aware, is that they have a faux courtroom they put on TV where Judge Mathis hears cases which have been embellished somewhat and then he makes some jokes and stuff and rules on it. The results are legally binding. However, both defendant and plaintiff are paid, regardless of who wins. If I win, the man I'm suing who has no money would not have to pay me, and in fact he would receive compensation as well. I would get paid that plus the judgement from the show. If I lose, I would only get paid for my time on the show. Furthermore, the trip and (seemingly) all expenses are paid by Judge Mathis. So it seems to be a win-win and the only possible way I will ever see any of my money again. The main thing that worries me is how embellished these stories are. Since they're on TV, presumably anyone could see it, and it worries me if crazy people are going to try and contact me or something. Does that happen? My question to everyone is, has anyone been on Judge Mathis or similar shows before? How was it? Was it worth it? Anything important I'm not thinking of? Thanks for your opinions, goons.
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Apr 14, 2015 00:47
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| # ? Apr 27, 2024 14:32 |
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While I've never been on a show like this, it sounds like they want your case so they can tear the guy apart for being a moron. If what you posted is true then he's pretty hosed, and you'd likely win the case while barely having to really do much talking on the show. Out of curiosity, how much does the show pay? If the money is worth it then hey, go for it. I don't think you have anything to worry about; doubly over random people contacting you about things.
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Apr 14, 2015 03:04
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Do it and post when it will air. Assuming there isn't some huge part to the story you haven't mentioned where you were snorting bath-salts or something, then yeah you should take the only real chance of getting your money back you have. Crazy people will not contact you unless you have literally the most unique name in the country.
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Apr 14, 2015 04:14
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You can also up the entertainment factor by acting crazy yourself and maybe gain internet fame a la Antoine Dodson.
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Apr 14, 2015 04:30
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If you do go on the show, make sure you bring all the documentation showing you paid him. TV judges, especially Judge Judy, don't seem to like it when you leave things like receipts at home. From what I remember Mathis is more of a "life lesson" type judge and less angry/dramatic than Judge Judy or Judge Alex, so I doubt they'd embellish too much to make either of you look crazy. Anyway, if I were you I'd do it. Like you said it's the only realistic way you'll ever see any money out of this, and it works out well for the other guy too who seems more stupid/gullible than malicious.
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Apr 14, 2015 07:14
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Sounds like this is a perfect way to get your money back when otherwise it doesn't seem likely you would. Even if you're not 'hurting for money', $620 is a lot to be out financially because of some idiot ripping you (and others) off. Personally, I would KILL to be on one of these court shows. People's Court would be my first choice, then Judge Judy, then Mathis. The judges on Fox don't really do it for me. I mean, I watch them but it's just not the same. I grew up with Judge Wapner and will never stop watching these shows as long as they're on TV. I swear it's the best part of taking a day off from work. So, yes, PLEASE say yes to being on Mathis!! Edit: And yes as the poster said above me, bring everything that even remotely could be proof. Bring so much that you will need two instead of a measly one of the brown accordion files that Mathis's show seems to provide all plaintiffs and defendants with to use. 
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Apr 14, 2015 15:45
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There's always the chance that the guy (if he agrees to be on the show) will use the money he gets from them to pay off some of the other people he scammed. Probably not but you get money, this guy gets money and maybe possibly his other victims get money. Seems like everyone wins. If he agrees.
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Apr 14, 2015 15:59
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Pig Head posted:Sounds like this is a perfect way to get your money back when otherwise it doesn't seem likely you would. Even if you're not 'hurting for money', $620 is a lot to be out financially because of some idiot ripping you (and others) off. Totally agreed on all of this. Please live my dream and be on Judge Mathis, OP. And yeah, scan all your proof and keep it on a thumb drive just in case any of it gets lost if you have to, but make sure you have every piece of correspondence you ever had with the dude, and all receipts and stuff. If you can make and print screenshots of the original listings you responded to, that'd probably play really well. Better to have more documentation than not enough. Mathis seems easily the nicest and most compassionate fake judge outside of maybe Judge Milian, and it sounds like your case is fairly straightforward. If it were Judy I'd think about it but for Mathis, it's no-lose. On this day, you should do it the right way. e: try to work in a plug for Doobie's Dog House
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Apr 14, 2015 16:57
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I've got everything documented very well so there's no worry there. I reached back out to the associate producer and she's going to contact the defendant and see if he'll go for it. I should hear back from her tomorrow or the next day. She warned me though that typically they go for lawsuits between family members (IE personal drama), but I tried to sell my case to her more because it's pretty crazy with the whole African honey pot thing and the fact that I'm a fairly young clean cut city boy vs a fairly old and tatted up country bumpkin and there's a firearm involved. I'll let everyone know what comes out of it. Thanks for you inputs! e: I have no idea what Doobie's Dog House is
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Apr 14, 2015 17:10
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Oh my gosh this is so exciting. I hope the dude says yes to be on the show. How couldn't he, really? It's in his best interests financially but not for his "reputation" I guess. Make sure you make some sort of comment about Doyle being handsome. Thanks in advance.
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Apr 14, 2015 18:25
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If I was swindled (even if I was in the right) I'd be concerned about going on that show. If he wants some more audience laughs he's going to go after you too for being conned by this obvious rube. Just be ready to be a comedy prop as well.
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Apr 15, 2015 00:02
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Zogo posted:If I was swindled (even if I was in the right) I'd be concerned about going on that show. If he wants some more audience laughs he's going to go after you too for being conned by this obvious rube. Just be ready to be a comedy prop as well. Mathis doesn't crack a lot of jokes, at least not mean-spirited ones. His main gimmick is having heart-to-heart mentoring moments with inner-city kids who are "throwing their life away", and often ends with a tearful reconciliation with the kid and their family that is suing them. That's why I was surprised they picked this case, especially considering the producer confirmed that family stuff is their MO. Anyway, even if he does make the OP into a comedy prop, it doesn't really matter if he gets paid. I mean, we're talking about Judge Mathis. The chances of anyone the OP knows actually seeing the episode is fairly low, unless he knows a lot of unemployed/retired people who watch daytime TV all day. Besides, if the OP's story is true, this wasn't an obvious con at all, just a guy selling a gun online. People do that all the time with no problems. He did get conned, but unless you're on Judge Judy, the TV judge usually doesn't rule against you for doing/saying something stupid, it's about what you're legally entitled to.
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Apr 15, 2015 07:01
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Murphy Brownback posted:Mathis doesn't crack a lot of jokes, at least not mean-spirited ones. His main gimmick is having heart-to-heart mentoring moments with inner-city kids who are "throwing their life away", and often ends with a tearful reconciliation with the kid and their family that is suing them. That's why I was surprised they picked this case, especially considering the producer confirmed that family stuff is their MO. Yea, I know I've seen the show at points over the years. I just remember any time there was a show with some online dealings and someone came on he was cracking jokes like "lol look at these weird online people." Yea, I wouldn't say he was a mean-spirited person. I'd rather go on his show compared to most of those judge shows.
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Apr 15, 2015 23:04
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I completely understand that I could be made fun of and ridiculed for several things, including being a "gun-nut" and/or buying things over the internet. Hell, it has already happened. One of the officers I talked to who was less than helpful was a grumpy old guy who said "That's why you shouldn't buy things on-line!" Like, I realized I could have done some things better that might have kept me from getting sucked into this but it's 2015 and e-commerce is a real thing that's not just for internet weirdos. With all that said, I still haven't heard back from the person I've been speaking to. Hopefully tomorrow I will hear from her. I don't mind acting like a moron, being laughed at, or insulted on TV if it means getting some of my money back. The part I'm scared of is if the guy I'm suing is game with it. He's got a lot to be ridiculed for compared to me.
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Apr 15, 2015 23:24
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Zogo posted:Yea, I know I've seen the show at points over the years. I just remember any time there was a show with some online dealings and someone came on he was cracking jokes like "lol look at these weird online people." I remember seeing a youtube of that, I think it was basically two furries arguing over a worthless pickup truck and unpaid soda bills. And something about an underage lover. He was way more understanding than either of them deserved so if that's what all of Judge Mathis is like I don't think it would make the OP look bad unless he's a much worse person than he's letting on.
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Apr 16, 2015 02:51
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surc posted:Do it and post when it will air. I'd watch it.
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Apr 16, 2015 22:47
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SpartanIV posted:The part I'm scared of is if the guy I'm suing is game with it. He's got a lot to be ridiculed for compared to me. If this show works in any way like Judge Judy, any judgment is paid for by the producers, and each litigant receives an appearance fee and free airfare/hotel. The guy stands to benefit even if he loses the case.
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Apr 18, 2015 01:08
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Did you skip the part where he thought some 20 something college girl fell in love him online but was stuck in Africa with Ebola while online dating? This is not a smart man. I haven't heard back from my contact at Mathis yet so I'm taking that as a bad sign.
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Apr 18, 2015 01:41
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SpartanIV posted:Did you skip the part where he thought some 20 something college girl fell in love him online but was stuck in Africa with Ebola while online dating? How was she emailing him if she had Ebola?
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Apr 18, 2015 03:42
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Their love was that strong! e: They also texted, but the few times he tried calling her, the "doctor" answered and said she was unavailable.
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Apr 18, 2015 03:47
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Update! I finally got in contact with the lady I've been speaking to yesterday. She tells me they are still interested and that the defendant agreed to do it but there's a hangup. Since another person he scammed is taking him to court for criminal charges, he may not be able to leave his state to be on the show. They're going to see if they can work out a deal with someone in his state, and I should hear back in the next couple of days if this thing is going to work out or not.
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Apr 23, 2015 01:20
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Pretty much no chance of getting your money back but it would be pretty cool to go on the show regardless.
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Apr 23, 2015 13:49
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They pick you up in a limo and take you through the McDonald's drive through. My buddy got a shake.
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Apr 25, 2015 17:49
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When I first moved to Chicago I saw a Judge Mathis booth at a street festival taking applications for studio audience guests! Of course I signed up for that, what with being a grad student who has lots of available mornings and early afternoons. Security in the NBC Tower is steep. They collected all our cell phones and gave us claim tickets to get them back on the way out. We were led to a waiting room with free donuts and daytime TV and couldn't go anywhere without an escort. On our way into the stage courtroom, one of the producers instructed everyone where to sit in order to make the audience look as diverse as possible, even though it's mostly the people that don't work day jobs (retired, students, stay at home moms, etc.). He also explained where everyone was entering and exiting from, told us to laugh at all of Mathis's jokes (he really feeds off of the audience) and really exaggerate our reactions to make the audience sound bigger than we really were--there were maybe 30 of us? So if you get on the show and everyone's booing and gasping at you, don't take it personally because they're following orders. We spent 4 hours there while they did ten cases, or a few episodes' worth. Every couple cases the producer would rearrange our spots in the audience so the viewers at home don't catch on to the fact that it's all the same people in the background over multiple shows. Some of the cases were somewhat unremarkable (I don't think you'd be reviled, per se, but it is Chicago and people here are touchy about guns) but others--the family slapfight dramas you mentioned--inspired me to call my parents afterward and thank each of them for not raising me to be a monstrous fuckup like one case involving an aunt and niece fighting over the mom's estate after dying of cancer.
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Apr 27, 2015 16:29
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TunaSpleen posted:When I first moved to Chicago I saw a Judge Mathis booth at a street festival taking applications for studio audience guests! Of course I signed up for that, what with being a grad student who has lots of available mornings and early afternoons. So you (as in the audience) can hear those ridiculous intros while the plaintiff and defendant are walking into the courtroom, right?
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Apr 27, 2015 23:27
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Nope, we just sat there in total silence while the cameraman zooms in on each person for ~30 seconds. We learned about the details of each case as they were explained later.
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Apr 28, 2015 01:45
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SpartanIV posted:Long story short here is my case: I would say it's a pretty big red flag to be able to buy a gun from a private person on the internet. 2nd amendment, lol Have fun in the fake court room!
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Apr 28, 2015 08:36
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TunaSpleen posted:Nope, we just sat there in total silence while the cameraman zooms in on each person for ~30 seconds. We learned about the details of each case as they were explained later. There's an older woman with short red hair who must come to EVERY taping of the PC. What a life. Did anyone catch the (repeat) Judge Judy last week where she found a home for a precious Basset Hound that some fuckass abandoned at a kennel for something like 8 months? I've never cried watching a court show till then. She's an awesome lady for finding that doggy a home.
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Apr 29, 2015 16:39
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brylcreem posted:I would say it's a pretty big red flag to be able to buy a gun from a private person on the internet. I hope you get on Mathis and get to live the goon dream of being in a TV court and not being the gooniest man in the room.
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Apr 29, 2015 16:57
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I've been an extra on the show a couple of times about 9-10 years ago. Most of the peanut gallery are actually paid. What really surprised me about the show is how heavily edited it is. Six cases, about two shows worth, is a full eight hour day. You know that break you see on these shows when the judge goes to chamber to review evidence? That break can easily be anywhere from ten minutes to more than an hour. That's ~400 minutes edited down to ~40. I've never been to small claims court, but I suspect that's a lot more time than most small claims trials are given. EDIT: From TunaSpleen's description of being an audience member these days, it sounds like production has been streamlined. When I was a paid extra, the court was basically a set in a warehouse near Oprah's studio in the West Loop. Chuu fucked around with this message at 05:00 on May 7, 2015 |
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May 7, 2015 04:56
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Need an update, OP.
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May 20, 2015 03:17
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The other guy can't leave his state because of his other trial so it's a no go. fml
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May 20, 2015 03:29
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Beware that the defendant may walk away and not agree. I have a feeling the plantiff is the easier person to get to come.
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May 22, 2015 03:24
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