Judge Mathis Season 17 Episode 89 Episode 89
- February 11, 2016
Judge Mathis Season 17 Episode 89, titled "Episode 89," features the honorable Judge Greg Mathis presiding over a small claims court case. As with previous episodes, Judge Mathis opens with a brief monologue discussing issues relevant to the case at hand coupled with words of wisdom and advice for those watching.
This episode of Judge Mathis opens with the plaintiff, a young woman, alleging that the defendant, her former landlord, unlawfully withheld her security deposit. The plaintiff argues that the defendant has no legal basis to justify keeping her deposit, as she left the property in pristine condition, and the landlord has yet to provide proof of any damages or unpaid rent payments.
The defendant, on the other hand, cites various instances of property damage and ignored rent payments as justification for keeping the deposit. He contends that due to the excessive damage to the property and unpaid rent, the security deposit was still not enough to cover the full cost of repairs.
Judge Mathis listens to both sides and swiftly determines that the landlord had no legal grounds for withholding any amount of the security deposit that was undisputedly the plaintiff's. The judge cites the landlord-tenancy laws of the state and the lease agreement which establishes clear guidelines and stipulations on the return of security deposits. Judge Mathis admonishes the defendant for his lack of adherence to these guidelines and for withholding the plaintiff's security deposit illegally. The judge orders the defendant to refund the plaintiff the full amount of her security deposit.
In addition to the primary case, the episode also features a brief segment of "Ask Judge Mathis." Here, Judge Mathis answers a question from a viewer who is facing the dilemma of whether or not to disclose to a potential employer a criminal record that has since been expunged. Judge Mathis offers practical advice about how to approach the subject with openness and transparency without giving too much information that could harm the job seeker's prospects.
Another segment of this episode of Judge Mathis features an appearance by a young woman seeking back child support from her ex-boyfriend. The plaintiff alleges that the defendant has been delinquent in paying child support and has amassed several year's worth of arrears. The defendant denies any wrongdoing and argues that he has been making payments consistently, albeit not in a timely or organized manner.
Judge Mathis patiently listens to both parties and promptly orders the defendant to provide proof of his child support payments. The defendant admits to being disorganized with his payments and providing poor excuses for his delinquency. Judge Mathis emphasizes to the defendant that remitting child support is a legal responsibility, not a choice, and his inactivity could harm his child's welfare as the plaintiff struggles to meet their needs. The judge reprimands the defendant for his consistent failure to follow through on his responsibility, noting that the plaintiff should not have to bear the financial burden alone. Judge Mathis orders the defendant to pay his past due child support and to stay current with his payments going forward.
Overall, Judge Mathis Season 17 Episode 89 continues the show's tradition of offering a keen insight into the lives of everyday people and their legal challenges. Judge Greg Mathis' affable personality and engaging style make this episode a must-watch for anyone interested in gaining insights into the legal system's inner workings.