Since the ongoing economic downturn, courts are finding their civil dockets flooded with cases involving debts and broken contracts. Perhaps it is this that has inspired the unprecedented level of interest in changing the small claims jurisdiction of state courts.

In its 2011 session, the Maryland General Assembly considered raising the existing limit from $5,000 to $10,000. Although ultimately rejected, this video is testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on February 16, 2011 on the subject gives a fairly broad overview of the pros and cons.

Proponents’ Testimony

Opponents’ Testimony

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