The People's Court Season 24 Episode 41 Taking it out on a car
- January 18, 2021
Taking it out on a car is the forty-first episode of the twenty-fourth season of The People's Court. In this episode, a plaintiff takes her former friend to court over damages to her car. The plaintiff alleges that the defendant, who was angry with her at the time, threw a brick at her car, causing over $6,000 worth of damage. The defendant denies throwing the brick and says that it was actually the plaintiff's boyfriend who caused the damage.
The plaintiff explains to the judge that she and the defendant were once friends but had a falling out. She says that on the night in question, she and her boyfriend were leaving a restaurant when they saw the defendant and tried to avoid her. She says that the defendant ran after them and threw a brick at the car, causing significant damage to the windshield, hood, and roof. She shows the judge pictures of the damage and an estimate from the auto repair shop.
The defendant tells a different story. She says that she did see the plaintiff and her boyfriend that night, but she did not throw a brick at the car. Rather, she says that the plaintiff's boyfriend was angry and aggressive towards her and the car, and that he was the one who caused the damage. She claims that she was simply a bystander and did nothing wrong.
The judge listens carefully to both sides and examines the evidence. He notes that there are no eyewitnesses to the incident, and that both sides have conflicting stories. He also points out that the plaintiff has a vested interest in blaming the defendant, while the defendant has a vested interest in blaming the plaintiff's boyfriend. He says that he will have to rely on the evidence to determine who is telling the truth.
The judge examines the pictures of the damage and the estimate from the auto repair shop. He notes that the estimate lists several different areas of damage, including the windshield, hood, and roof, which suggests that the damage was extensive and not just caused by a single blow. He also notes that the estimate is signed by the plaintiff, which suggests that she is responsible for paying the repair bill.
The judge then turns to the defendant's story. He questions her closely about what she saw and heard that night, and tries to determine whether her story is consistent with the evidence. He asks her why she did not call the police if she saw the plaintiff's boyfriend causing damage to the car, and whether she has any proof that he did so.
In the end, the judge is unable to determine who is responsible for the damage to the car. He notes that both sides have plausible stories, and that there is no direct evidence implicating either the defendant or the plaintiff's boyfriend. He says that he cannot order one party to pay for damages unless there is clear and convincing evidence that they caused the damage.
Overall, Taking it out on a car is a compelling episode of The People's Court that showcases the challenges of determining liability in cases where there are no eyewitnesses or clear evidence. The show highlights the importance of examining the evidence carefully and fairly, and of listening to both sides before making a decision. Through its engaging storytelling and compelling characters, The People's Court continues to be one of the most popular courtroom dramas on television.