FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THIS POST
THIS EXCUSE DID NOT GO WELL IN COURT!
A Family Dispute Over Bail Money
Imagine a family argument landing in Judge Judy's courtroom.
This case involves a stepmother and her stepson.
The dispute is over bail money.
The Plaintiff Seeks Repayment
Mrs. Valardo is the plaintiff.
She is suing her stepson, Mr. Valardo.
She wants $2,200 back.
This money was for his bail.
The Defendant's Arrest Story
Judge Judy asks Mr. Valardo about his arrest.
He claims it was for a traffic ticket.
He says it was for two tickets.
Judge Judy questions this.
She states that bail is not typically set for traffic tickets.
Mr. Valardo then says the bail was $2,800.
He explains the tickets were old.
One was a year and a half old.
The other was almost three years old.
He describes them as moving violations.
He says they were for speeding.
He also claims they were later dismissed.
He states they were already paid.
Judge Judy Questions the Bail Amount
Judge Judy explains that bail ensures appearance.
She says bail money is usually returned after appearance.
She asks if the fines were so large they consumed the bail.
She presses Mr. Valardo on his claim.
She asks if he is certain he was arrested for two traffic tickets.
She questions the $28,000 bail amount he mentioned.
Mr. Valardo corrects himself.
He says one was $1,500 and the other $1,300.
He still believes the money is not returned.
He states he paid a small fine for one ticket.
The other ticket was dismissed.
He claims the tickets are not the real issue.
He feels he was "railroaded" into paying money he didn't ask for.
The Stepmother Reveals the Truth
Judge Judy asks Mrs. Valardo about the arrest.
Mrs. Valardo clarifies the charges.
One ticket was in Pomona.
It was for driving on a suspended license and no insurance.
The other was in Van Nuys.
It was from the criminal division.
She states it was for switching price tags.
This happened at an electronic store.
Mr. Valardo interjects.
He says it was a misdemeanor, not criminal.
Judge Judy corrects him.
She explains both felonies and misdemeanors are crimes.
She asks if switching price tags was the actual crime.
Mr. Valardo confirms it was.
She then asks if an outstanding warrant appeared after this arrest.
He confirms this too.
Judge Judy says this makes the story "more logical."
The Phone Call from Jail
Judge Judy addresses Mr. Valardo again.
She notes he was arrested and entitled to a phone call.
He called his wife's mother.
She was not home.
Judge Judy observes he was panicked.
He did not want to stay in jail.
She asks who he called next.
He called his stepmother, Mrs. Valardo.
He asked her to keep calling his mother-in-law.
He wanted his mother-in-law to "take care of the situation."
This meant getting the bail money.
He was confident his mother-in-law would provide the $2,200.
But his mother-in-law did not come home until late.
She arrived after he was released.
Judge Judy Challenges His Excuses
Judge Judy points out that he got out of jail because of his stepmother.
Mr. Valardo agrees.
He denies asking her for it.
Judge Judy asks if he was going to stay in jail.
He says he was not.
He believed his mother-in-law or wife would handle it quickly.
Judge Judy then brings up his excuse.
She says he told his stepmother he could not pay the money back.
Mr. Valardo denies this.
Judge Judy suggests he would have told his mother-in-law the same thing.
She asks why he doesn't get the money from his mother-in-law.
He could then pay his stepmother back.
Mr. Valardo states he shouldn't be in this situation.
He claims he never asked for it.
He says he was "railroaded."
He also claims his own father threatened to break his legs.
Judge Judy tells him to be quiet.
She reminds him it is still a court.
She asks his age.
He is 27.
She explains that if he didn't want to be bailed out, he could sit in jail.
She says he chose not to do that.
He chose to call around for his mother-in-law.
When he couldn't reach her, he called his stepmother.
He told his stepmother to keep trying to call his mother-in-law.
Judge Judy sarcastically assumes everything he says is true.
She questions the logic of some of his statements.
She assumes his mother-in-law thinks he is a "prize package."
She implies his mother-in-law would have paid the $2,200.
This would make her daughter, Nicole, happy.
The Verdict
Judge Judy rules in favor of the plaintiff.
She orders him to pay the $2,200.
Mr. Valardo protests.
He reiterates he never asked for bail.
He claims his father lost his son and grandchildren over this.
Mrs. Valardo expresses embarrassment.
She says he is her son.
She believes he needs to learn to pay back borrowed money.
Watch the Full Judge Judy Case Below
See how this family drama unfolds.
The truth comes out in court.
Scroll down.
Press play.
FULL VIDEO
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OYjn5syub4
