Something got you Pissed? Take ’em to Online Court

March 22nd, 2010. By AbiK

Doug Llewelyn eat your blessed heart out. The internet-age version of The People’s Court is here—well, maybe not with any real monetary awards imposed, and true, no one’s got your classic closer: “Don’t take the law into your own hands, you take ’em to court.” But now there’s a way to get an unofficial ruling on whether that gift of a used 1992 Chevy included insurance payments and registration—or not. Even if only for peace of mind or some form of bragging rights.

Enter InstantJury.com.

This site’s a riot. Once you sign up, you can submit your “case”—which will then be sent to the defendant (whose name is not revealed publicly) via email–i.e., they “receive notice” of their affront—can you just dream of the possibilities here? The plaintiff submits what he thinks are adequate “stakes” should he win—could be a dinner on the defendant’s dime. Both parties can submit their opening arguments and evidence (seriously)—and then the case is listed for the “jury” (other viewers) to decide.

Here are the “rules of the courtroom”:

• Case must be accepted by defendant within 24 hours.

• All arguments must be entered within 24 hours of the preceding argument.

• A verdict must be rendered within 24 hours of the defendant’s closing arguments.

• The case must receive 3 votes from a jury to be official. If the case receives less than 7 votes, the case will be decided by the judge.

• If the case ends in a tie (Hung Jury), the case will be decided by the judge.

• The Judge can throw out a case at his discretion.

Now, needless to say, you won’t actually get much out of having your case “heard” at InstantJury—perhaps some satisfaction, but no one’s going to be witholding pay from your defendant’s paycheck till they cough up dinner. And, I imagine, there is always the possibility of someone not taking too kindly to recieving a complaint—aimed at them—in their inbox. But if you’ve got a beef that’s under your skin and you just can’t let it go (or talk it out like the rest of us) then this may be your answer. And, hey, unlike submitting your problem to Dear Abby, you don’t have to wait and see if your issue is deemed worthy of publication—just hit “submit” and you’re in court baby!

Tags: InstantJury.com

This was posted on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 at 3:45 pm and is filed under Lex Levity . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.