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eyewitnesses photographs diagrams (for example, of the scene of a car accident) letters from experts written contracts.Letters from eyewitnesses should first state who the witness is and then establish how, where, and when the witness saw (heard, smelled, or touched) important events or evidence.
Presiding Judge
Small Claims Court
Kansas City, Kansas
Re: John Swift vs. Peter Petrakos
Small Claims Case No. 11478
My name is Victor Van Cleve. I work at Racafrax Engineering in Kansas City, Kansas, as a mechanical engineer, and I am 43 years old.
On September 15, 20xx, I witnessed an auto accident a little after 7:30 a.m., involving John Swift and Peter Petrakos. I was about 50 feet away from the accident, standing at the intersection where the accident occurred, and I could see what happened clearly. I did not know either Mr. Swift or Mr. Petrakos before the accident.
I saw Mr. Petrakos' Toyota, which was heading north on South Dora, go through a red light and hit Mr. Swift's blue van, which was proceeding east on West 7th, well inside the 25 MPH speed limit. I assume the light was green facing Mr. Swift on West 7th because I was watching the red light on South Dora, waiting for it to change to green so that I could cross the street.
Victor Van Cleve
Letters from expert witnesses—such as the car mechanic who examined your car's engine or a remodeling contractor who inspected your poorly remodeled kitchen—should first establish the expertise of the witness and then comment on the specifics of your situation.
Gail McClosky
47 Penrod Street
Helena, Montana
Sept. 30, 20__
Judge
Small Claims Division
Helena, Montana
Re: James Dills vs. R & B Construction
Small Claims Case No. 11478
I am a fully licensed contractor with 20 years' experience here in Helena (Contractor's License (4021B)). For the last ten years I've run my own five-person contracting company specializing in building enclosures and buildings to be used to house horses and other large animals. I enclose a resume outlining my specialized training and experience in this field.
On April 23, 20__, I was asked by James Dills to inspect several new stalls he had built in the main barn of his Lazy T Ranch by R&B Construction.
In my opinion, these stalls are markedly below normal industry standards for three reasons.
In conclusion, I believe the stalls are so poorly constructed they can't reasonably be upgraded to provide safe habitable housing for horses. Were they mine, I would rip them out and start over.
Although in-person testimony is usually best, letters can be effective if witnesses can't come to court. Most small claims courts will accept letters from witnesses, but check your small claims court's rules to be sure letters are allowed.
For the detailed information, tips and strategies you need to sue someone successfully, or put up a winning defense, in small claims court, get Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court, by Cara O'Neill (Nolo).