Legal Red Flags: Court Delays, False Records, and Unanswered Questions

[ccam2829]

Hey everyone, I’m dealing with a legal situation that feels really off, and I need some advice to figure out if this is normal or if something shady is going on. Here’s the breakdown:



Case Details:

• Defendant 1: Mike’s Auto Repair (primary defendant, responsible for damages exceeding $18,000.

• Defendant 2: Valley Motors (minor involvement, damages around $1,500).

Key Issues:

False Claim About Mediation:

The court clerk stated that I refused to participate in mediation, but that’s completely false. Mediation happened on February 5, 2025, via Zoom, and I have proof (Zoom logs, emails with the mediator, and notes from the session). The mediator’s name is Sarah Thompson, and the session lasted nearly an hour. Why would the court falsify records like this? Is this even legal?


Forcing Service on Valley Motors:

Valley Motors was named in the original filing back in December 2024, but they were never servedbecause the sheriff’s office failed to do it. The case has been moving forward against Mike’s Auto Repair this whole time, which is the main defendant responsible for over $18,000 in damages.

Valley Motors’ involvement is minor, with damages only around $1,500. Now, out of nowhere, the court is demanding I serve Valley Motors within 90 days, even though they were never part of the case. Why is this suddenly required, especially when the damages from Valley Motors are so small compared to Mike’s Auto Repair? Is this normal, or is the court bending the rules?


Arbitrary 90-Day Delay:

The court said if I don’t serve Valley Motors in 90 days, the case will proceed against Mike’s Auto Repair anyway. But if that’s the case, why force this delay? It feels like they’re dragging this out for no reason, especially when the majority of the damages are tied to Mike’s Auto Repair. Is this just procedural red tape, or is it an abuse of discretion?


Possible Misconduct or Collusion:

The court initially allowed the case to proceed against Mike’s Auto Repair but is now changing its stance. Combined with the false claim about mediation, it feels like the court might be favoring the defendant. Could this be judicial misconduct or even collusion? How do I even investigate something like that?



My Questions for the Group:

1. Is it normal for a court to falsify records about mediation? What can I do to correct this?

2. Can the court force me to serve a party (Valley Motors) after the case has already moved forward without them, especially when their involvement is minor ($1,500) compared to the main defendant ($18,000+)?

3. Why would the court impose a 90-day delay if they’re going to proceed against Mike’s Auto Repair anyway? Is this legal?

4. How do I find out if there’s collusion or misconduct happening here?

5. Should I file a complaint, appeal, or take other action?



I’m really frustrated and feel like I’m being railroaded. The damages from Mike’s Auto Repair are significant ($18,000+), and it feels like the court is focusing on the wrong thing by forcing me to serve Valley Motors, who’s only responsible for $1,500. If anyone has experience with something like this or knows a lawyer who can help, please let me know. I’d also appreciate any tips on how legal and ethical this is or is this how the legal process works?


Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Just Blue]

What state?

Edit out all the identifying info.

 

[ccam2829]

I didn’t use the actual business makes but it is in the state of Idaho.

 

[ccam2829]

I did not use the actual business names of the people in the case. But, yes it’s taking place in Idaho.

 

[adjusterjack]

$18,000 is beyond the limits of small claims and magistrate court so I'm guessing you are in District Court where the big boys (lawyers) play and you don't have a lawyer.

In big boys court you are expected to know everything about court procedures that the lawyers do.

Now I'll give you my two cents worth.

Is it normal for a court to falsify records about mediation?

Who says anybody is "falsifying" anything? Is it possible that the results of the mediation haven't been matched up to the case file? Have you looked in the case file? Have you submitted the results to the case file? Or are you assuming that it's going to be done automatically for you?

What can I do to correct this?

Beats me. Must be something in the rules of court procedure that addresses it.

Can the court force me to serve a party (Valley Motors)

Yes. And it's to your advantage to get them served.

Valley Motors was named in the original filing back in December 2024, but they were never served because the sheriff’s office failed to do it.

Use a private process server. They'll get it served.

especially when their involvement is minor ($1,500) compared to the main defendant ($18,000+)?

You named them. If you don't want to serve them, your option is to dismiss them from the lawsuit.

Why would the court impose a 90-day delay if they’re going to proceed against Mike’s Auto Repair anyway? Is this legal?

Of course it's legal. As to the why, I'm guessing it has to do with court scheduling intervals.

How do I find out if there’s collusion or misconduct happening here? Should I file a complaint, appeal, or take other action?

You really are clueless. There is no collusion or misconduct happening. And nothing to file a complaint about. You're just in over your head.

Hire a lawyer before you make things worse for yourself.

 

[quincy]

Hey everyone, I’m dealing with a legal situation that feels really off, and I need some advice to figure out if this is normal or if something shady is going on. Here’s the breakdown:



Case Details:

• Defendant 1: Mike’s Auto Repair (primary defendant, responsible for damages exceeding $18,000.

• Defendant 2: Valley Motors (minor involvement, damages around $1,500).

Key Issues:

False Claim About Mediation:

The court clerk stated that I refused to participate in mediation, but that’s completely false. Mediation happened on February 5, 2025, via Zoom, and I have proof (Zoom logs, emails with the mediator, and notes from the session). The mediator’s name is Sarah Thompson, and the session lasted nearly an hour. Why would the court falsify records like this? Is this even legal?


Forcing Service on Valley Motors:

Valley Motors was named in the original filing back in December 2024, but they were never servedbecause the sheriff’s office failed to do it. The case has been moving forward against Mike’s Auto Repair this whole time, which is the main defendant responsible for over $18,000 in damages.

Valley Motors’ involvement is minor, with damages only around $1,500. Now, out of nowhere, the court is demanding I serve Valley Motors within 90 days, even though they were never part of the case. Why is this suddenly required, especially when the damages from Valley Motors are so small compared to Mike’s Auto Repair? Is this normal, or is the court bending the rules?


Arbitrary 90-Day Delay:

The court said if I don’t serve Valley Motors in 90 days, the case will proceed against Mike’s Auto Repair anyway. But if that’s the case, why force this delay? It feels like they’re dragging this out for no reason, especially when the majority of the damages are tied to Mike’s Auto Repair. Is this just procedural red tape, or is it an abuse of discretion?


Possible Misconduct or Collusion:

The court initially allowed the case to proceed against Mike’s Auto Repair but is now changing its stance. Combined with the false claim about mediation, it feels like the court might be favoring the defendant. Could this be judicial misconduct or even collusion? How do I even investigate something like that?



My Questions for the Group:

1. Is it normal for a court to falsify records about mediation? What can I do to correct this?

2. Can the court force me to serve a party (Valley Motors) after the case has already moved forward without them, especially when their involvement is minor ($1,500) compared to the main defendant ($18,000+)?

3. Why would the court impose a 90-day delay if they’re going to proceed against Mike’s Auto Repair anyway? Is this legal?

4. How do I find out if there’s collusion or misconduct happening here?

5. Should I file a complaint, appeal, or take other action?



I’m really frustrated and feel like I’m being railroaded. The damages from Mike’s Auto Repair are significant ($18,000+), and it feels like the court is focusing on the wrong thing by forcing me to serve Valley Motors, who’s only responsible for $1,500. If anyone has experience with something like this or knows a lawyer who can help, please let me know. I’d also appreciate any tips on how legal and ethical this is or is this how the legal process works?


Thanks in advance for your help!

First I want to compliment you on the layout of your post. Very nice.

I agree with adjusterjack that it appears you need the personal services of an attorney in your area. Following are links to help you find an attorney in Idaho who can assist you, and information on how to file a judicial complaint if you believe the court is mishandling your case (although I am not convinced it is).

https://idaho.community.lawyer

https://judicialcouncil.idaho.gov/pdf/council/FAQ.pdf

To briefly answer the questions you ask:
1. Falsifying records is not legal and I have no idea why someone would do that.
2. I have no idea why Valley Motors wasn’t served. I don’t know if the court is “bending rules” but it seems unlikely.
3. I don’t know why there is a court delay. I don’t know if there has been an “abuse of discretion” but it seems unlikely.
4. If you believe the court is mishandling your case, you can file a complaint with the State for investigation. Follow the instructions given in the second link provided above.

Good luck.

 

[zddoodah]

The court clerk stated that I refused to participate in mediation

Stated to whom and in what context?

Why would the court falsify records like this? Is this even legal?

How should we know why the clerk did this? Isn't it possible that the clerk made a mistake? After all, the clerk wouldn't have been involved with the mediation.

Valley Motors was named in the original filing back in December 2024, but they were never servedbecause the sheriff’s office failed to do it. The case has been moving forward against Mike’s Auto Repair this whole time

It's worth pointing out that December 2024 was only two months ago. Also, it's the plaintiff's responsibility to ensure that all defendants are served.

Now, out of nowhere, the court is demanding I serve Valley Motors within 90 days

According to Rule 4(b)(2) of the Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure (with which you or your attorney should be familiar): "If a defendant is not served within 182 days after the complaint is filed, the court, on motion or on its own after 14 days’ notice to the plaintiff, must dismiss the action without prejudice against that defendant. But if the plaintiff shows good cause for the failure, the court must extend the time for service for an appropriate period."

If your case was filed only two months ago, I'm not sure why the court is bugging you, but I'm sure it has a good reason. Perhaps there is a local rule that supersedes the IRCP.

even though they were never part of the case.

Ummm...you told us that "Valley Motors was named in the original filing." Both of these things cannot be true. Regardless, if you don't care about pursuing your case against Valley Motors, then you should dismiss it from the lawsuit.

Could this be judicial misconduct or even collusion? How do I even investigate something like that?

In the abstract world of all that is hypothetical, virtually anything is possible. The way I read your post is that (1) the court clerk or someone else probably made an innocent (and apparently inconsequential) mistake and (2) the court expects you to comply with the law/court rules.

Can the court force me to serve a party (Valley Motors) after the case has already moved forward without them, especially when their involvement is minor ($1,500) compared to the main defendant ($18,000+)?

Yes, the court can force you to prosecute your case - against all defendants - in a reasonable and timely manner. You say that "the case has already moved forward without them [sic]," but that's on you as the plaintiff, and it's only been two months. Again, if you don't care about proceeding against this defendant, then dismiss it.

 

[quincy]

Here is a link to the Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure, which you should familiarize yourself with if you intend to proceed with your case pro se:

https://isc.idaho.gov/ircp-new