Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Louisiana

Re: small claims court

Yes you can file a claim in small claims court against the individual, if the Parish, or city, in which he lives has one. In Baton Rouge, the claim has to be for less than $3,000 for our Small claims court, each small claims court has a limit. I think you would have to file suit in La as that is where the individual lives. If he had some connection with California, they CA could possibly have jurisdiction under its Long Arm Statute. I suggest you consult a CA attorney on this.

Re: small claims court

If the other person promised to send you merchandise in exchange for your payment, and communicated with you in CA, then you can file in CA. The problem is, if you get a judgment, to attempt to collect, you would have to domesticate the judgment in Louisiana, so you'd be spending more money to do that, unless the person has assets here in CA. Best advice, then, is to do it in Louisiana.