The People's Court...who pays the fines?!
Question: I'm in a debate over this...please help. When someone has a case in People's Court, who pays the court cost and fines etc? I'm sure I read in the credits after the show one time, that there is a fund set up and the costs would be taken from that fund. I belive I read the fund is $5000 per case, and this how they pay the people for their apperance. So, if you were to appear on People's Court as the defendant and you lost, you wouldn't actually have to pay the amount that was awarded to the plaintiff, it would be taken out of the fund?
Answers: I'm in a debate over this...please help. When someone has a case in People's Court, who pays the court cost and fines etc? I'm sure I read in the credits after the show one time, that there is a fund set up and the costs would be taken from that fund. I belive I read the fund is $5000 per case, and this how they pay the people for their apperance. So, if you were to appear on People's Court as the defendant and you lost, you wouldn't actually have to pay the amount that was awarded to the plaintiff, it would be taken out of the fund?
I read this;
Researchers for the show would examine small claims filings in Southern California and approach the plaintiff and defendant in interesting cases. The producers would offer to have Judge Wapner arbitrate the dispute if they would agree to dismiss their action and be bound by Judge Wapner's decision. Through this approach, the show could get real people with real cases. However, even though the show is decorated and run like a real courtroom, it is not a real court or part of any judicial system, but instead a form of binding arbitration.
Interestingly, the losing party does not actually need to pay the judgment, as such. Instead (as is stated in the disclaimer at the end of each show), both parties are paid from a fund (set up by Ralph Edwards-Stu Billett Productions) for their appearance on the show. If a monetary judgment is ordered, the losing party's appearance fee is reduced by that amount, which is then given to the winner.
I have always wondered that! They show the losers after the case looking disappointed as if they really do have to pay the fine, so I'm not sure. I know they do get paid for going on the show. Good Question.
The court costs are covered by the show. The defendant and plaintiff receive a monetary amount of money, hotel and meal fees for their time. Its more of a thing to be on TV not to get extra money.