matter of Cary vs. Richardson,
step forward.
>> Announcer: Hairstylist
Lynne Cary is suing former
client Rene Richardson for
nonpayment of services rendered,
bank fees, and a fraudulent
check.
>> Judge Judy: Miss Cary, you're
a hairdresser?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: And you performed
a service for the defendant and
her daughter...
>> Yes, Your Honor.
>> Judge Judy: ...in your salon,
which I just got a sense was in
your home?
>> Yes, it is, part of my home.
>> Judge Judy: And she wrote you
a check when she left?
And the service that you
performed for her, in total, was
$180?
>> It was for her and her
daughter.
>> Judge Judy: The total was
$180?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: And she gave you
a check for $200?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: The extra $20,
I assume, was for a gratuity.
Is that right?
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: And then she
stopped payment on the check?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: And you were
angry enough so that you took
the time, according to your
papers.
You said it was just a matter of
principle.
Cost you $102 to file your
complaint, took time to do that.
So that's what you're
looking for?
>> Yes, ma'am.
[ Light laughter ]
>> Judge Judy: M
that.
>> I can do that if she
didn't --
>> Judge Judy: No, you can't!
>> She didn't do anything I
asked her to do.
>> Judge Judy: Listen to me.
Then don't go back.
>> Then --
>> Judge Judy: Duh-duh-duh.
Then don't go back!
>> But I shouldn't have to pay
for a service I didn't get.
>> Judge Judy: No, you're wrong.
You did get a service.
You were -- Listen.
[ Raps desk ]
Careful! Listen.
>> I'm listening.
>> Judge Judy: You did get a
service.
You didn't go to her salon/home
and sit there and get nothing.
She worked on your head, she
worked on your daughter's head,
so she did perform a service.
>> She performed a service.
>> Judge Judy: Listen to me.
You weren't happy with her
service.
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: Then don't go
back.
>> But why should I have to pay
for something I didn't ask for
at all -- not even close.
>> Judge Judy: Listen to me.
You wrote her a check in payment
for her service, and then you
stopped payment on that check.
>> Only because I was
uncomfortable in her home.
>> Judge Judy: Listen to me.
I don't care what your level of
discomfort was.
The level of your discomfort was
not so great that after she
finished your hair, she didn't
do your daughter's.
Listen to me carefully.
Isn't that the way it worked
out?
>> I didn't watch --
>> Judge Judy: Uh-uh-uh!
Pay attention.
>> I'm paying attention.
>> Judge Judy: She did your hair
first.
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: And then your
level of discomfort was not so
great that you didn't ask her to
cut your daughter's hair, too.
>> 'Cause I had already arranged
that, and it was very
uncomfortable in her home with
her fiancé.
It was not a salon.
>> Judge Judy: Listen to me.
>> It was on a back road
somewhere.
>> Judge Judy: Listen to me.
>> [ Laughs ]
>> Judge Judy: How old are you?
>> 50.
>> Judge Judy: 50-year-old
woman, if she's frightened to go
on a back road, then you turn
around -- you hadn't paid her a
thing -- and you -- just a
second -- and you leave.
Let me tell you what.
She worked on your hair.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Judge Judy: For how many
hours?
>> Probably about four hours.
>> Judge Judy: She worked on
your hair for four hours.
So, during that time, you
weren't so uncomfortable.
And I assume, when she was
working on your hair, you
weren't watching your daughter
all the time.
>> My daughter wasn't there at
the time when --
>> Judge Judy: When did she --
Just a second.
>> Yeah?
>> Judge Judy: Your daughter
wasn't there.
It gets more interesting.
>> Yes, it does.
>> Judge Judy: It gets more
interesting.
So, your daughter came after you
were there, in the back road.
How old is your daughter?
>> She's 8.
My sister had her, and she
dropped me off and picked me up.
>> Judge Judy: Just a second.
[ Whispering ] Just a second.
[ Normal voice ] So, your sister
dropped off your daughter?
>> No, no, no.
My sister dropped me off.
>> Judge Judy: Yes?
>> She originally was gonna get
her nails done.
>> Judge Judy: I want to know...
>> Yes?
>> Judge Judy: ...your daughter
got her hair cut.
How did your daughter get there?
>> My sister came to pick me up
and brought my daughter.
>> Judge Judy: Just a second.
Your sister came to pick you up
in a place where you felt
uncomfortable.
Just a second.
Let me just get what you're
trying to sell to me.
[ Laughter
to pick you up in a back-road
place where you felt
uncomfortable 'cause her
boyfriend was there or her
cousin or her brother was there.
>> 'Cause it wasn't a salon.
>> Judge Judy: And you didn't
say to your sister, "Come on,
we're leaving.
I'm not getting the hair cut by
this lady, because...
[ Raps desk ]
>> We were already in there.
>> Judge Judy: So what?!
If I'm uncomfortable, I leave.
>> She'd already driven off.
>> Judge Judy: Oh, my God!
Judgment for the plaintiff in
the amount of...
>> Oh, my God.
>> Judge Judy: ...exactly what
you are requesting...
>> $835.
>> Judge Judy: ...exactly $835.
You got it.
>> Thank you, Your Honor.