Going to small claims for unpaid wages

[matty1081]

I worked at a company in Arizona for one month. They told me that they would hold my checks until i got a social security card or a birth certificate or some other second form of i.d. I quit before i recieved my birth certifacate. They refuse to pay me after i showed up with my certifacate.

Im thinking today of filing a small claims at the courts. They owe me around 1800.00 gross.
The maximum claim is 2500.00. My question is, should i claim for that amount since they havent paid me for a month and a half? I have had rent passed due and bills go unpaid because of what they did..

Is it wise to get a lawyer for small claims? i can prove that they held my checks, and i can prove that i worked for them that month..

I believe that i should be paid 2,500.00 for all the bull crap they have put me through.. Any information or help would be greatly appreciated

[Beth3]

What you need to do is to contact AZ's Department of Labor and file a complaint for your unpaid wages.

By the way, it was unlawful for the company to employ you for more than three days without your providing proof of your eligibility to work in this country.

[Pattymd]

Hey, Beth, didn't I answer this somewhere else?

[matty1081]

Dang it, I already set up a small claims for 2500.00.. I have evidence that he was holding my checks, and i can prove i worked during august. They havent paid me at all for august. I dont see how they can win, cuz their clearly in the wrong.

Do you have any advice on what i should do for small claims court? Any helpful tips to when my case? I appreciate all the information that this site has already given me concerning this matter.. Matt

[Pattymd]

Just get all your paperwork organized and make copies and bring the copies with you to the hearing. If you have witnesses, have them come too. Don't worry, you'll do just fine.