WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE TRIAL? If the Judge decides that you win, he may award you only part of the money you requested or whatever amount of damages he thinks you have proved you deserve. The judgment of the Court becomes a binding legal obligation after it is signed, unless one of the parties requests a new trial within three (3) days after judgment. However, a judgment merely establishes that the defendant owes you money. IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN YOU WILL BE PAID. Some judgment creditors are never paid, for various reasons. In order to collect your money, you may have to take further action; such as asking the Court to "garnish" the defendant's wages or "seize" and sell certain non-exempt property that belongs to the defendant. An additional deposit is required for each procedure. If you need more information about the defendant in order to take these steps, you may request a "judgment debtor examination" to require the defendant to appear Court and produce evidence of his assets, employment, etc., at a place suitable for such examination, usually in the courtroom. This information may help you in finding other legal means for collecting on your judgment. If you are not satisfied with the court's judgment, you may appeal its decision. An appeal would permit a review of the trial judge's ruling by a higher court to determine whether the judge properly applied the law to the facts of the case. However, the trial judge's factual findings on disputed issues (such as credibility of witnesses) would not ordinarily be reversed on appeal. If you want to file an appeal, you must contact an attorney IMMEDIATELY after the trial.